Court okays release of John Abraham starrer Aashayein

The Delhi High Court has rejected a plea by Anil Ambani's Reliance Big Entertainment (RBE) challenging the release of John Abraham starrer Hindi movie "Aashayein" because co-producers of the movie had allegedly changed the storyline of the movie.

RBE, which purchased the rights of the film, approached the court alleging the film's co-producers - Percept Ltd. and Super Cassette Industries - misrepresented facts and indulged in fraud, besides changing storyline from the previously agreed upon script while signing the distribution agreement.

Justice Manmohan Singh said that RBE should be compensated by the co-producers and asked them to deposit 30 percent of Rs.4 crore (Rs.40 million) paid by it for buying the film's rights and asked Percept Ltd and Super Cassette Industries to deposit the money within a week.

RBE had paid Percept and super cassettes around Rs.4 crore, out of the total deal value of Rs.18 crore (Rs.180 million) in June 2008 and entered into an agreement for theatrical, non-theatrical, world satellite, television and overseas home video rights.

In its petition, RBE submitted that as per their distribution agreement with the two co-producers, RBE was to pay Rs.18 crore for the rights of Nagesh Kukunoor-directed "Aashayein", which was supposed to be a commercial film, and was assured that the co-producers would not deviate from the storyline.

But when the complete film was shown to RBE in July 2008, it did not resemble the original storyline. It was not even a commercial film and character of John Abraham was changed from a compulsive gambler discovering fortunes of life to a cancer patient, it said.

However, Percept and Super Cassettes denied receiving any such communication from RBE after they were shown the movie.

The court said the film was complete and ready for release and it would be harmful for actors, investors and exhibitors if it stopped "Aashayein" at this stage.

Case against John's film

If he is not showing his butt then that ain't hot, at least that what it seems.

The release of John Abraham's movie “Aashayein”, a serious film in contrast to his body show “Dostana”, is facing further delay after a legal fight has erupted between its producers and distributor.

Reliance's Big Pictures, that was all set to distribute “Aashayein”, has filed a case against the film's producers Percept Picture Company and T-Series because they felt the film has not measured up to their expectations.

The case has been filed in the Delhi High Court.

Percept Picture Company and T-Series are now in a fix because they can't release the film until the case is resolved.

The movie, directed by Nagesh Kukunoor, was ready sometime back and has been getting delayed for some reason or the other.

“Aashayein” is the story of a compulsive gambler who one day learns that he has only 90 days to live. Wanting to make the most of his last days, he leaves everything behind and moves into a soothing hospice. The inmates he meets change his outlook on life. As his relationships grow with each one of them, he tries to rise above his own needs and live life to the fullest, learning from the courage of those around him.

John turns sensitive

"I am proud of AASHAYEIN and wish that the world sees it soon", beams John Abraham as he moves on from his recent success DOSTANA and looks forward to his next release that is helmed by Nagesh Kukunoor.

While in DOSTANA, John did well in role of a happy–go–lucky man who 'pretended' to be a gay, AASHAYEIN sees him portraying a sensitive character.

"I play the role of a compulsive gambler who wins quite a fortune from a bet but soon realizes that he won't be able to enjoy the riches since he has only 90 days to live", reveals John about the part that he plays as a central protagonist in AASHAYEIN.

What happens during the last days of his life forms the crux of the film as he is checks himself in a hospital where he meets a variety of inmates who change his outlook on life. How he rises above his own needs and lives life to the fullest while learning from the courage of those around him is his journey that goes by the name of AASHAYEIN.

John admits that AASHAYEIN touched his heart in a big way. "When Nagesh narrated the script to me, I knew there and then that I had to be a part of it. I would have wept so many times while going through the script of AASHAYEIN. It is a very sensitive film and I believe everyone should watch it at least once to learn a new meaning of living life.''

Also seeing Shryeas Talpade in a guest appearance, AASHAYEIN stars Sonal Sehgal and Anaitha Nair as the leading ladies. Salim–Sulaiman gave music in this film which is a co–production of Percept Picture Company and T–Series. The film is aiming for a release this January.

"I shot through pain" - John Abraham

Pain suffering and bereavement bring out the best in an actor. Madhubala and Meena Kumari shot their best work Mughal-e-Azam and Pakeezah, respectively, when they were dying.

Shammi Kapoor's wife Geeta Bali died when he was shooting Teesri Manzil (the song 'Tumne Mujhe Dekha' was shot just 'daze' after Shammi's beloved's death). And Suneel Darshan's Jaanwar which many believe to be Akshay Kumar's best films was shot while his father was terminally ill.

John Abraham shot Aashayein while both his parents were ill, and in hospitals at different times. And John, as any one including Bipasha will tell you, lives for his parents. Recalling the harrowing period John says, "Illnesses in the family do scare you a lot. I really believe I'm a family person. My parents are the most important people to me. Their health is very important to me."

But John learnt to alchemize the pain. Sorrow was used for creative satisfaction. "Looking with or without regret is honestly not my space. I'd much rather would look ahead. I believe there's a third axis beyond contentment and regret, and that's my axis. I can't have a two-dimensional attitude to my work. I'll always look and find the third dimension"

Brand John Abraham continues to do well in spite of the man choosing to lie really low in recent months. "I believe after a point one's name and the brand acquires a life of its own regardless of failure or success. That's what's happened to me. People have started believing in the kind of person I am and the clothes I wear. I believe I contribute a lot to my brand, as much as it contributes to me. My clothes lineup is going great. The John Abraham clothes line has grown by word of mouth. We've created an artificial scarcity for my clothes. It's a very niche brand with only seven stores across the country. It's like the 'True Religion' brand which you'd have a hard time finding even at Harrods. I do not want to go to the masses with my clothes lineup. It's a choice I've made."

In spite of the failure of Anurag Kashyap's No Smoking, John says he'll continue to seek unusual roles. "Conforming isn't my cup of tea. How boring is life if you conform. And how dull life would be if all I did was chase success. Sure, I want it. But I also want to take the untrodden path. It's the deviations that make my life exciting. Some of what I did last year might not have worked. But the fact that there was debate about them was enough for me. At least the kind of films I do make people curious."

However, the No Smoking experience has cautioned John about inept marketing. "I realize 'my' kind of cinema needs to be a little more commercial. You've to position your product properly. Products fail because they're sold to the wrong audience. No Smoking was sold to the wrong audience. My confidence level in my kind of cinema remains totally unshaken. I can't allow every opinion and every review devastate me. I need to have confidence in what I do. The fact that I've gotten where I am is proof that I'm on the right track. I believe I need to do more about my kind of cinema. And Aashayein is my kind of cinema."

He has just completed a long schedule of Karan Johar-Tarun Mansukhani's Dostana in Miami; "Priyanka Chopra is my co-star in Karan's film. She's a good girl, always a pleasure to work with. As for Abhishek, I really enjoy working with him and his father. And the director is Tarun Mansukhani a new boy with plenty to say."

John Abraham mesmerizes audiences with his performance

This was one special musical evening with a difference. Director Nagesh Kukunoor gave the audience a sneak peek of the music of his forthcoming film Aashayein in a rather unconventional way at an event held at the Bandra Fort amphitheatre yesterday evening.

The mood was informal and the crowds seemed to be having a gala time as music-director duo Salim-Sulaiman along with singers like Shankar Mahadevan, Shafqat Amanat Ali Khan, Zubin and Mohit Chauhan performed on some really rocking numbers, in what seemed like a jam session. But the highlight of the evening was when Bollywood hunk John Abraham who joined Zubin on stage and rendered the song 'Ab Hai Ujala' from Aashayein.

The crowd surely went berserk on seeing this new side of John. John even came down the stage and went right in the middle of the crowd, much to the delight of his female fans. Also present were the cast and crew of Aashayein including Sonal Sehgal, Girish Karnad, Farida Jalal and Elahe Hiptoola. All in all, a memorable musical evening was enjoyed by each and everyone present. As for die-hard John fans, they couldn't have got anything better.

John Abraham to sing in front of a live audience

John Abraham is all excited about his forthcoming film- Aashayein directed by Nagesh Kukunoor. While the actor couldn't be present while unveiling the first look of the film (since he was busy shooting in Miami for Dostana), he surely would be seen at an event later in the evening today to promote the music of the film.

However, John wouldn't just make his presence felt but would also get behind the mike and sing one of his songs from the film - 'Ab Hai Ujala'. John was initially nervous about this but now he will be making his singing debut and that too in front of a live audience. "Initially I was hesitant, but I liked the idea. I am not that great a singer but that's all right I guess. I will make a sincere effort," says the handsome hunk. What's more, John has even been practicing for the event very hard along with Aashayein's music director duo Salim-Sulaiman. Even music director Salim is all praise for John. "John has an ear for music and since the song is so inspirational, I'm sure people will appreciate him whether he hits the right note or not."

The event scheduled to take place at the Bandra Fort Amphitheatre will also see the likes of Shankar Mahadevan, Shreya Ghoshal and Zubin perform on stage.

John dresses up as Indiana Jones in Aashayein

While its common knowledge in Bollywood to get inspired from the West and flatly deny it, director Nagesh Kukunoor believes otherwise. In his forthcoming film Aashayein starring John Abraham in the lead role, the director has decided to incorporate a scene in which John would be seen dressed as the legendary Hollywood character, Indiana Jones.

Apparently, both Nagesh and John are big fans of the Indiana Jones series and hence the director thought this would be like an apt tribute to the fictitious character. The fact that John could pull it off with his Greek God looks surely proved to be the icing on the cake.

With the latest Indiana Jones film set to hit the screens next week, we are pretty sure that Kukunoor and John would be among the first to catch the flick. After all, as the director says it’s only after watching Indiana Jones- Raiders of the Lost Ark did he decide to pursue filmmaking as a career.

Aashayein's shoot brought back John's old memories

When you say Pondicherry, one thinks of a little French town on the coast line, beautiful beaches and sultry afternoons…but that was not the reason why John Abraham requested Nagesh Kukunoor to shoot Aashayein in Pondicherry.

John Abraham finds Pondicherry as his lucky town and has some fond memories of the place. This is the same place where John shot for his first film Jism with Bipasha Basu in 2003. John loves this place very much. In fact, every time he feels low, he visits the place and it completely refreshes him. Also as a town, he feels that Pondicherry has a very positive vibe and thought it would do with the theme of 'Hope', Aashayein…

Smiles John Abraham, "I love Pondicherry, it was the same place from where I started my film career in 2003 with Jism. This place makes me feel good and comfortable. When we were shooting at Pondicherry for Aashayein, I used to get this déjà vu feeling…I actually revisited all the places that we had shot the film earlier. I would take walks all alone on the beaches and spend time alone in tranquility with the nature. This place always leaves me with hope in life…and never seizes to bring a smile."

John wanted to be left alone

Now that Nagesh Kukunoor’s Aashayein is all set to be released, newsy snippets have begun circulation.

One of them is about how John Abraham took the news of girlfriend’s Bipasha Basu kissing footballer Christiano Ronaldo on the sets. Forgotten the story? Here’s a quick flashback...

July 7: The seven wonders were announced in Lisbon with Bipasha and other dignitaries. The same day, John was in Pondicherry shooting for Aashayein.

July 8: The next day the media was flashing the Bipasha-Ronaldino photographs... and John requests to be moved to a hotel far away from the unit with no telephone and internet connection. He wants to be left alone.

July 9: John reports for shooting the a portion of the film. Now read on...

John is playing a gambler in Aashayein. John’s character in the film is that of someone who has lost everything in the biggest bet of his life. And he therefore, begins to question everything in his life – his relationships, fame, money... love and family. Ironically, for the whole week following the Bips-Ronaldo episode, John had to literally enact his personal trauma as the character he was playing – real merging with reel emotions.

Sarita Patil, head of production of Percept Picture Company, says, “The mood on the sets was sombre, as we were shooting some intense sequences with John. And he had already told us that he wanted to be on his own during this phase and had shifted to a far away hotel.” Adds Shailendra Singh, Jt. MD PPC, “Yes, John shot the most emotion-packed scenes of the movie while he was going through a personal crisis. However, he was extremely professional and gave an outstanding performance.”

And this is what Nagesh had to say, “John and I developed a good rapport while shooting at Pondicherry. I could sense that he was in a turmoil mentally. However, his personal problems never came in the way of his work.” The crew was shooting at a very remote location with 100-120 people and despite the turbulence in his personal life, John was on the sets at the right time everyday.

“I had not seen any of John’s previous films when I finalised him for Aashayein. But, in this film he will be seen in a completely new avatar,” adds Nagesh. One of the unit members told us, “Later, John told us how, while shooting some of the sequences in such a frame of mind, he realised the true meaning of Aashayein and life.”

John Abraham's parents unveil the look of Aashayein

Percept Picture Company and T -Series hosted a party for unveiling the first look of Nagesh Kukunoor's forthcoming film Aashayein in Mumbai yesterday. While the film's lead star John Abraham couldn't make it (as he is busy shooting in Miami) everyone was quite surprised to see John's parents (Abraham John and Phiroza Abraham) making their presence felt at the event. It was quite an emotional moment for his parents and they said that they had a special bond with the title of the film and the word 'Hope'.

Abraham John, John's father said, "My father, (John's grand father) was a great believer of Hope and throughout his life, he believed and preached that even at the darkest of moments of life, there is always a ray of hope. Even when he was 95 years old, he kept preaching everyone to see life as a bright star and not as a burden". John's father also added that he was extremely proud of the kind of films director Nagesh Kukunoor makes.

Immediately after seeing the first look of the film, John's parents called him in Miami and had a teary eyed conversation about how good Aashayein looked and how proud they are of him. Even John Abraham was surprised to know that his parents had attended the function on Nagesh Kukunoor's behest.

The cast and crew of the film Aashayein including actors Farida Jalal, Sonal Sehgal, Anahita Nair, music director duo Salim Sulaiman , Elahe Hiptoola, Divya Khosla Kumar, Shailendra Singh of Percept and director Nagesh Kukunoor were in attendance at this memorable event.