“Nobody’s father can ask me to shut up” - Sajid Khan

After the public spat between the show’s host Sajid Khan and best director award winner Ashutosh Gowarikar (pictured left) at the recent Star Screen Awards, it seems the industry has gone against Sajid and are all supporting Ashu.

Even Sajid's sister Farah Khan, who intervened to sort out the matters on the stage, is not able to clear the air.

Subhash Ghai has gone a step ahead and is sending a text message to everyone in his phone book, The SMS reads: “All respected filmmakers and artistes fully support Ashutosh Gowarikar's stand to speak on Screen awards against the cheap and humiliating jokes on industry people in public, where they are supposed to honour the contestants and the winners... it was height of making commercial awards function as a cheap entertainment show at the cost of celebrities, artistes and individuals. Industry shall stop going to attend such functions in future if such arrogance continues."

To update those not in know, the verbal fight between Sajid and Ashutosh took place during the awards function in Mumbai on January 14.

As a co-host of the Star Screen Awards, along with his sister Farah, Sajid had been cracking jokes at the expense of many celebrities. When Ashutosh Gowarikar came on stage to accept his award, he voiced his displeasure at Sajid’s humour and also the fact that he was not allowing many award winners to give an acceptance speech. He also said that the people would rather listen to the artistes than Sajid’s jokes.

When Sajid told him that the jokes were part of the script, Ashu asked him to shut up and walked off. Not one to take such a thing lying low, Sajid put in the last word by saying, “Nobody’s father can ask me to shut up”.

Jodhaa Akbar, Hrithik win awards at Golden Minbar Film Festival in Russia

Ashutosh Gowariker's magnum opus Jodhaa Akbar has not only captured the hearts of audiences in India but impressed the audiences globally and is winning accolades internationally. Yesterday, Jodhaa Akbar won the prestigious Grand Pix award at Golden Minbar, the Film Festival for Muslim Cinema which is held at Kazan, Russia. The lead actor, Hrithik Roshan, was awarded the Best Actor Award for his magnificent performance as Emperor Akbar.

Jodhaa Akbar shared the Best Film honours with an Iranian film, M for Mother. The films were selected by the Jury in the Official Selection consisting of 35 films in Competition (10 Full-length feature film, 12 Short-length feature films and 13 Documentary films).

"This is wonderful! I am overwhelmed with this news. It is an honour not only for me and my co-producer Ronnie Screwvala, but for the entire team of Jodhaa Akbar. And I would like to thank the Jury for it. I am especially happy and proud that Hrithik won the Best Actor. His portrayal of Akbar is a magnificent one, full of nuances and detailing which is very rarely seen on screen. I would also like to thank the Organizers for including Jodhaa Akbar in The International Film Festival of Muslim Cinema Golden Minbar", said a very honored and grateful Ashutosh Gowariker.

Priyanka going blonde

After the disastrous performance of “Love Story 2050”, we all know red hair did not work for Priyanka Chopra.

Now Ashutosh Gowarikar wants Priyanka to colour her hair golden for his next film “What's Your Rashi”.

Do you think she agreed? No ways. She has put her foot down and said she will never colour her hair again, at least not for films!

Shahid, no! Harman, yes!

Was Shahid Kapur the first choice for Ashutosh Gowariker's new project WHAT'S YOUR RAASHEE?, before he finally zeroed in on Harman Baweja? According to a news-report, Gowariker persistently called Shahid, but the actor wasn't keen on doing this film. "That's completely untrue," Gowariker informs me, "Shahid was never approached in the first place."

Was Harman the first choice then? "Call it a coincidence, the launch of LOVE STORY 2050 promos coincided with the casting of my movie. I was on the lookout for a fresh face for the film and when I watched the song-promo of LOVE STORY 2050, I requested Harry Baweja to screen a few scenes for me. In fact, Harman was the first actor I approached for the role in question. He's ideal for this role," the talented film-maker sets the record straight.

Meanwhile, here's good news for all those who loved JODHAA AKBAR. Ashu has decided to premiere the edited portions [which were chopped off on the editing table due to its excessive length] on television, before the film is premiered on TV. These portions, I must add, are simply outstanding!

Harman, Priyanka in Ashutosh Gowariker’s next

After Jodhaa Akbar, Ashutosh Gowariker has moved on to his next project. The director has bought the rights of an English play and is currently busy adapting it for the screen.

According to industry buzz, he has approached the yet-to-debut Harman Baweja and his ladylove Priyanka Chopra to play the main leads.

An industry source reveals, “Ashutosh’s next is going to be a romantic comedy.

In the past, all his films — Lagaan, Swades and Jodhaa Akbar — have been on an epic scale. This time around, he wants to make a quick and light film.”

Adds the source, “Ashutosh saw the promos of Harman’s Love Story 2050 and called the actor up to say he was impressed with what he saw and that he would like to meet him.

Ashutosh looked at the rushes of the film and decided to sign Harman on."

Play it once more

“The movie is based on an English play called What's Your Raashi? The play is based on the traditional arranged marriage tradition.

Ashutosh recently had a meeting with Priyanka and Harman and both have been signed on. The film will go on the floors by the year-end in Mumbai and foreign locales.”

Ashutosh Gowariker remained unavailable for comment while Harman Baweja refused to comment.

Title booking
Ashutosh Gowariker has registered the following titles for his movie with the producers’ association, Association of Motion Pictures and TV Programme Producers:

Raashi Chakra
Raashi Chakkar
Prem Raashi
Baarah Raashi

Now which one will he finally choose?

50 days for JODHAA AKBAR

Though many predicted doomsday for JODHAA AKBAR not just before it's release but even a week after it's arrival, the film has successfully managed to complete 50 days at the box office. And that too in good style!

Unlike numerous flicks which barely reach the 50 days landmark with a couple of dozen prints in the running ay maximum, JODHAA AKBAR would be celebrating this achievement with more than 150 prints across the country. The film is the biggest success ever for Ashutosh Gowariker who has other notable films like LAGAAN and SWADES to his credit. However, his JODHAA AKBAR has done the sum total of business of these two films and is still counting.

The film has crossed 60 crores just from Indian market and is still counting. Hrithilk and Ash have yet another big hit to their name while UTV too enjoys continued success with first JODHAA AKBAR and then RACE turning out to be mega successes!

Joginder Tuteja

Ashutosh's Next: Romance? Comedy? Thriller?

So what is Ashutosh Gowariker making next, after JODHAA AKBAR? A section of the media would like us to believe that the noted film-maker is planning a romantic film next. But here's the exclusive, official statement from Gowariker…

“Right now, I am merely exploring ideas. To be honest, I am still into JODHAA AKBAR even now. I am trying to plug it wherever I can. Of course, I am not as aggressive as Shah Rukh or Aamir, but I am giving my best shot.

“My next film will be a modern love story. This is something I had announced on your TV show ['B Biz'] before the film's release. It could be romantic, it could be comedy, it could be thriller. In fact, the three genres suit the description of a modern story. But, as I said, I am still undecided.

“What I am sure is that there will not be a 4-year gap between JODHAA AKBAR and my next film. Between LAGAAN and SWADES, it was 3 years. Between SWADES and JODHAA AKBAR, it was 4 years. I plan to make one film every year, that's my new resolve. Also, my next venture will again be co-produced by Ronnie Screwvala [UTV]. He's a fantastic guy with a great team. Working with him has been a real pleasure.”

Taran Adarsh, Bollywood Hungama

Aishwarya Rai is not upto the mark: Ashutosh

Ashutosh Gowarikar's Jodhaa Akbar has been in trouble from day one. The director, who was keen to release his film in the month of January, had to shift the release further. Now, it is heard, that the director has been suffering from severe back pain and is executing all his work lying on the bed.

If all this was not enough, Ashutosh, who was editing recently, realised that a scene he had shot with Aishwarya Rai was not upto the mark. Our unit source claims, "The director picturised a scene where Aishwarya is riding a horse in a fight sequence. The director wanted an aggressive expression on Ash's face, but, to his dismay, he realised later that Ash is looking frightened on the horse. With less time on his hands, he cannot re-shoot the entire scene and will have to morph her expression with advanced technology. He is now trying to figure out the technology with which he can rectify the situation. Ashutosh did not realise this when he was shooting or even later, when he was monitoring the scene at the set."

The source continues, "One doesn't know whether these small situations or sequences will further delay the film. Ashutosh is trying his best to do it in time as further delay will only hamper work on the project.

Indiatarget

'Jodhaa Akbar' to release on 15th Feb.

UTV Motion Pictures and Ashutosh Gowariker’s much awaited epic romance JODHAA AKBAR, starring Hrithik Roshan and Aishwarya Rai Bachchan, is slated for a worldwide release on 15th February, 2008. The soundtrack, composed by music maestro A.R. Rahman and lyrics written by Javed Akhtar, will release on 9th January through UTV’s new record label UTV Music.

The change of release date is due to the fact that Ashutosh Gowariker has been advised bed rest for 21 days with a severe back problem. The director was scheduled to be in Chennai for this entire week to finish the background score of the film, but could not move out because of strict instructions from his doctors not to travel.

Referring to his back problem, Ashutosh stated, “I am sad that this had to happen in the thick of post production; it is unfortunate, but it has to be dealt with.”

Taran Adarsh, IndiaFM

Jodhaa Akbar party

Abhishek Bachchan made a special appearance, not on the sets of Joddha- Akbar, but for the wrap up party hosted by producer and director Ashutosh Gowarikar on November 12 at V Lounge, Juhu, Mumbai.

To celebrate the completion of the never-ending (shooting) of the film, Gowarikar has hosted a grand party for the cast and crew of the movie. No media was allowed.

The party started at around 10.30 pm and went on till the wee hours of the morning. Gowarikar was there with his wife welcoming the guests. Hrithik Roshan came at around 10.45pm. Then around 11.30pm Joddha, Aishwarya (minus hubby Abhishek) turned up. After 10 minutes Abhishek paid a surprise visit. He was seen talking with everyone, also with Hrithik. For all present, it seemed Jr Bachchan has patched up with Hritik after the kissing episode in Dhoom 2. Some of people who were seen at the party were cameraman Kiran Dev Hans, art director Nitin Desai, Nikitin Dheer, associate director Karan Malhotra, Ronnie Screwwala and Ram Mirchandani of UTV.

Johnny Vaz | Buzz18