Father and Son to clash

The second half of 2008 is surely hotting up. A number of biggies are slated to hit the screens from June/July onwards and most of them indeed look promising. While the release schedule is packed with biggies, one more keenly anticipated film is also expected to arrive this year - Karan Johar's DOSTANA - which has been shot in Miami completely.

"I am looking at either November 14 or 21 for DOSTANA. I've yet to take a call on the release date," Karan informs me. Our guess is, Karan would prefer November 14, since the Big B starrer ALLADIN is confirmed for November 21 and obviously, it wouldn't be right to pit the father [Big B - ALLADIN] and son [Abhishek - DOSTANA] on the same date. Right?

Amitabh talk about the kid in him, his films, Bollywood

Amitabh Bachchan could have retired long ago. He could have hung up his hat on his many awards, basked in the glow of movie history, and holed up in his Mumbai bungalow above all the hustle and bustle of Bollywood. But luckily for everyone, he hasn't gone anywhere and, at 66, is at the top of his game. In the last three years alone, he's worked with one of the movies' best known directors demonstrating a penchant for artistic evolution and experimentation. But as Bachchan tells me, and as few of the legend's colleagues and friends tell us, as much as his role choices and co-stars have changed, some things about the man remain the same. He loves to learn, is more anxious to promote his films than the distributors and producers, has to have tea and cookies while giving interviews, and can't get enough of life's little pleasures. So while he adjusts his yellow tie and his trademark dark glasses, I have a last careful look at my questions which will be fired to Mr. Bachchan...because you never know when they might get back fired.

B for B.R. Films, B for Baghban, B for Baabul, B for Bhoothnath, B for Bachchan and B for Blog. The only thing I can say here is - to B or not to B?
(Laughs) It's nice the way you've used the B in the question. But it's also a coincidence that happens to everyone in their life at some point or the other. Yes, I still haven't worked with B.R Chopra as a director but look at destiny, I'm working with B.R. Films for that matter. And now the entire media is talking about the blog which I've started but then it wouldn't be possible without the help of media. I hope my views and opinions expressed in my blog are appreciated by one and all, and if not, they are free to express their.

With so much going around - IIFA, Bhoothnath, and Sarkar Raj next, you seem to be the busiest actor on board. What's your stress level like?
I don't understand why the media asks this question. I mean whatever I'm doing is my job. Today if I'm given some responsibility, I'll make sure I fulfill it. Yes, my age does not permit me to do everything I want to but I try and manage and adjust as per my convenience. And my stress level is normal at the moment.

Adlabs distributed and marketed your earlier film Baabul which grossed 960,000 pounds and was one of the top 15 films ever on the U.K box office out of 500 released. Now with Eros International distributing Bhoothnath, do you think this film will touch a million pounds?
Well, we all know how capable Eros International are. And with the stats which you've just mentioned of B.R Films, I can't see why Bhoothnath can't do good business.

You're playing a bhooth in Bhoothnath and a genie in your forthcoming film Alladin. Do such roles allow you to tap the child within you?
We all have a child within ourselves and it does come out sometime and somewhere. So if films like Bhoothnath and Alladin give me variety, it also gives me freedom to be jovial and interact with kids and of course, as you just mentioned, to tap a child within me.

You'd normally associate a bhooth with Ramsay Brothers or Ram Gopal Varma. But Amol Palekar in Paheli and Vivek Sharma in Bhoothnath have given a completely new dimension to their bhooth's. Any comments?
You're right. They have. But let's not forget that the Indian Film Industry needed a makeover and it came at the right time. Yes, there is a risk of films not doing well while you experiment with new ideas but there is always a light at the end of the tunnel too. The way Vivek has made this film, for once you will not be able to tell that Bhoothnath is made by a debutant.

Why do you think the story of Bhoothnath in today's time period be relevant for people today?
Bhoothnath is just not another ghost story. It's a story of a little kid and a ghost who becomes friendly, their relationship and how as it develops, they are able to sort out a problem which is quite universal like togetherness, family relationships, respect for elders and so forth.

Do you encourage your co-stars to take on your style and do you accept theirs when you're acting?
I have no style and I hope I don't, and I will never want to interfere in someone else's style.

You mentioned on the BBC Breakfast while promoting Bhoothnath that you refrain from using the word Bollywood. But do you mind when people use that word in front of you?
Yes, because it's detrimental. It's degrading. We are the Indian Film Industry and why give it a defamatory terminology.

What did you learn about the mindset of young directors like debutant Vivek Sharma from your years of research and study in films?
I've hardly done any research, but yes, I've had the opportunity to work with many prominent directors and new ones too. I find the younger generation more excitable, aggressive in their passion to succeed, technically more savvy, more professional as far as managing their project is concerned and very very keen to propel their graph upwards, not that the others aren't either. But this generation is terribly independent, aggressive and wanting desperately to prove themselves at a very early age.

Merchandising a film has become an important marketing tool now-a-days, from clothes to accessories to games. Do marketing of this sort change the fate of any films?
I don't know but I'd imagine it does, otherwise it wouldn't be there. Once a film becomes popular, perhaps there is a need and a desire to have a lasting identity with it so that the merchandising goods get manufactured and they remain with you. For Bhoothnath too we have come out with some games for the kids, which I'm sure they will love playing. In the past, we have seen that such strategies have been successful in the West. So why not try them here when it works. I'd say Yes.

One learns about Mr. Bachchan on the set of being dedicated, the visionary, the go-getter and the one who shares a laugh with his co-stars. Is it an obsession, a passion that's necessary to get where you want to go or is that you've had enough?
No, I hope that I've never had enough because then it'll be a terrible moment for me. So yes, we look out for fresh things, new ideas, and fresh opportunities and the atmosphere on the sets needs to be very conducive in wanting to achieve that. So we work to excel in whatever we are doing and look for excellence in every department and try to work hard enough to achieve our goals and dreams.

How would you characterize your contribution and your achievement in the field of films and what do you understand about achievement now that you did not when you were young?
I don't think that there's been any great achievement as far as I'm concerned. I've just been fortunate and lucky to be in an industry which has looked upon me rather kindly. The fans have propelled me into doing what I've desired to do and I'm happy for that and I hope they continue looking at me in this manner. Industry changes happen because of changes in the society, changes in time and period and in the way the country has changed. All this is reflected in any kind of creativity. So if you find things different in our cinema, it is reflective of the above changes. I will always honor that and that is my achievement. These are some of the things I've noticed.

The road to shoot a film is not a straight line. It's a winding road. You must have faced set backs, frustrations and self-doubts while filming Bhoothnath and many other films. How do you deal with them?
I think that is true for any vocation in life, whether you are a journalist or an actor or a businessman. There would be ups and down and that's what teaches you about life and how to overcome hardships, obstacles and hurdles. I hope they remain because each hurdle is a great lesson in life. We need to struggle everyday to be able to succeed and to be able to look forward. If it were all smooth sailing, my life would be too monotonous.

The Indian Film Industry is more about the star kids. But when you see young and very young talents such as Aman Siddiqui, don't you feel they are the future to look out for and should be groomed well rather than see them in a one off appearance?
I think Aman is very young and surely this is something that he will have to decide upon or let us say, his parents. But to say that the film industry is full of star kids is not entirely correct. Yes, there are children that are working who belong to stars but that is a very natural phenomenon. I wasn't a star kid when I started off and neither was Shahrukh or Salman and Hrithik or Hrithik's father, Mr. Rakesh Roshan. There are examples and I don't think that should be looked upon in a derogatory manner or in a negative way. When the same thing happens in business nobody says anything, when it happens in medical profession nobody says anything, then why films?

You also quoted on the BBC Breakfast show that the films you do is sort of an escapism for those who cannot afford luxury or want to escape from the daily worries. Why do you say so?
The question asked revolved around our Indian films, which are very big and colorful and so on, and I said yes, I think our films are escapist in nature and we need to show that to the common man who perhaps does not get an opportunity to see this. So if by paying some money to watch a film if that person can get three hours to escape from his personal worries, poverty and hardships in life, that's what our cinema is all about.

From IIFA Yorkshire in 2007 to IIFA Bangkok in 2008. Are there any cities and countries left now to host the awards?
(Laughs) Well, we always try to do things, which are different and add more to the IIFA weekend irrespective of which country or city hosts it. I hope we continue doing that and try and make it better in the future years as well. Of course, IIFA weekend in Bangkok this year will also be special and remembered dearly as for the first time the entire Bachchan family comes together for Sarkar Raj, which is premiered there.

Well then, would you like to give a special parting message to the readers of Bollywood Hungama?
Thank you for your love and affection. I hope you continue seeing our films. We are a family full of actors now and we need your blessings which I know has always been with us.

Devansh Patel

Bachchan injures himself on the set of Alladin

While enacting an action scene for Alladin he was injured; was rushed to hospital for tests

Amitabh Bachchan injured himself while doing an action sequence for Sujoy Ghosh’s Alladin at Mehboob Studios yesterday morning. This is the second instance on the film’s sets when Big B has had to seek medical aid.

Bachchan, who complained of unbearable back pain, was rushed to the Lilavati Hospital, where he underwent several tests and was given medication for his back injury.

At first, Bachchan tried to brush off the incident. He later admitted that he was in excruciating pain. “Yes, I hurt myself doing an action scene for Alladin. I had to go to the hospital for an MRI test. But I was not hospitalised. I was back on the sets heavily drugged to lessen the pain so that I could complete the crucial work.”

Says Ghosh, “Amitji was doing a kick in a fight scene when something gave way in his back. We don’t quite know what exactly happened. But Amitji was in severe pain. He had to be taken to the hospital for tests. But look at his ‘spirit’. Maybe it has something to do with the fact that he plays a spirit in Alladin! But he was back on the sets right after the tests. Though I’m half his age, I don’t have his energy and grit.”

This is the second time the Big B injured himself on the film’s sets. Ghosh admits, “Yes. Earlier, he hurt his wrist. That’s because Amitji is doing a full-on action role after ages. The special effects in Alladin have nothing to do with his power-packed scenes.

I wanted him to perform the stunts the same way he did in Zanjeer and Deewaar, films that I grew up watching. I wanted them to be live and raw. I didn’t want anything to come between me and my dream.”

Adds the director, “I do caution Amitji before every action scene. But he just goes for the kill each time. I don’t want anything to happen to him for my selfish reasons. I want to make at least 20 more films with him.”

Subash K. Jha

Aamir Khan on Alladin sets to Meet Big B

It looks like Amitabh Bachchan has finally found time to meet Aamir Khan. The Taare Zameen Par director turned up at Mehboob Studios on Tuesday afternoon to meet Bachchan who is shooting for Sujoy Ghosh’s Alladin.

After the Bachchan-Khan war of words over Sanjay Leela Bhansali’s Black, Aamir had wanted an appointment with the Big B to clear the air. But Bachchan had maintained that he was too busy. Khan was left waiting (‘I am still waiting’; HiTLIST, December 14, 2007).

Reportedly, a few days after the demise of Teji Bachchan in December, Aamir and wife Kiran Rao had gone to the Bachchan residence to offer condolences.

Says an onlooker, “Everyone was surprised to see Aamir on the sets of Alladin. He came at around 3.30 pm and went straight up to Bachchan. He spoke to him for a while and left. Aamir did not interact much with the other stars of Alladin, which included Sanjay Dutt and Riteish Deshmukh.”

So how did their meeting go? Says Bachchan, “Oh, grow up. It was a normal thing that we all do when colleagues are shooting together. He came home to pay his condolences when my mother passed away and again for the chautha. He has been to Jalsa several times.

Aamir has invited us to see his film Taare Zameen Par. I’m waiting for all my family members to be in town so we can see the film. Right now Jaya is attending Parliament, Abhishek is in Miami and Ash too will be away.”

The verbal duel between the two stars began when Aamir made uncomplimentary comments on the Bachchan starrer Black. An offended Big B responded with angry words (‘May be the performances in Black did go over Aamir’s head’; HiTLIST, November 27, 2007).

Mid-Day

Chalta-phirta acting paathshala

B-Town newbie and Alladin debutante Jacqueline Fernandez has acting guru Vinod Tharani on call

Jacqueline Fernandez who makes her debut in Sujoy Ghosh’s Alladin depends on her acting guru completely. The fantasy film, which stars Amitabh Bachchan, Riteish Deshmukh and Sanjay Dutt, has Jacqueline essaying the female lead.

It is learnt that Vinod Tharani, who trains newbies in the hows and whys of acting, frequents Alladin’s sets whenever Jacqueline feels she needs to rehearse.

Says an onlooker, “The film had a schedule in Film City earlier and is currently being shot at Mehboob Studios. Jacqueline is often seen going through every line of the scene with Vinod before she steps in front of the camera.”

It is learnt that Tharani had also groomed Deepika Padukone at the request of director Farah Khan before Om Shanti Om rolled.

Teaching the craft

Says Tharani, “I have been coaching Jacqueline for the past eight months. My task is to teach the craft to freshers. It includes the entire gamut from emoting, voice modulation to dialogue delivery. Acting is all about the right body language.”

He admits that he visits the Alladin sets whenever needed. “Jacqueline and I rehearse the entire scene before the shoot happens and my presence depends on what scene is being shot.”
Tharani has this to say about his other famous student, “When I was coaching Deepika, her style of talking is on a higher note, so I had to tone her voice down considerably.”

Modelling agencies he is associated with, put him though to prospective students. “Of course, who I tutor depends on the temperament of the student learning the craft.”

Besides training models and aspiring actors, Tharani, who has a theatre background, is also an actor himself. He has featured in the Aftab-Ameesha starrer Kya Yehi Pyar Hai and in soaps like Kaajal, Pancham, CID and Kohinoor.

Jacqueline kaun?

A former Miss Sri Lanka, Jacqueline Fernandez competed in the Miss Universe 2006 pageant. She grew up in Bahrain, where her parents were based. After a degree in media and communications from Sydney, she moved back to her home country to participate in the beauty pageant. She also worked as an anchor for a Lankan TV channel till B-Town beckoned. Last year there was buzz about her and Vivek Oberoi when they were spotted together at events.

Author: Shaheen Parkar | Source: Mid-Day

Big B records two rap songs

At 65, Amitabh Bachchan remains indefatigable. Even as he continues to shoot for a number of films juggling dates among Mumbai, Goa and Delhi in the last one week, he also found the energy, breath and time to record three songs for Vishal-Shekhar for two different films.

"That's not all. One more song remains to be recorded for Sujoy Ghosh's Alladin as soon as I return to Mumbai," the Big B said from Goa where he’s shooting for debutant director Vivek Sharma's Bhootnath. Big B plays a ghost in Sharma's film. "I've sung a rap song for Vishal-Shekhar for my ghost's character in Bhootnath and another rap song for my djinn's character in Alladdin. Plus I recorded a soft lyrical number for Bhootnath. As soon as I return I'll record one more song for Alladin."

Vishal-Shekhar who've composed this carnival of crooning for the Big B, have been working on a non-film album of Abhishek Bachchan's hip-hop for producer Rohan Sippy for the last one year. That too will have singing inputs from the senior Bachchan.

"It looks like the music composers are thinking of an alternative career for me. They obviously don't think much of me as an actor," the Big B jokes before flying off to the London Film Festival for Rituparno Ghosh's The Last Lear, a film for which the actor's vocal prowess has come into much praise.

Subhash K. Jha, IndiaFM