Lazy Lamhe’s crazy times

A feverish Ameesha, chilly weather and Saif-Rani’s speedboat trips marred the shoot of Kunal Kohli’s film

Kunal Kohli insists he doesn’t believe in the concept of item songs. He refuses to label the song Lazy Lamhe shot on Rani, Saif and Ameesha in a remote villa in Alibaug as an item song.

Instead he calls it a sensous song in the league of the Kaatein nahi katate track shot on Sridevi in Mr India.

However, shooting for this particular song was quite an ordeal for the director.

Talking about the shoot that involves Ameesha getting into a Manish Malhotra swim suit, Kunal says, “We had actually planned for an eight-day shoot but we ended up spending more than that.

Both Saif and Rani would take private speedboats from the Gateway of India to come to the location everyday.

In fact, I didn’t even know there was a private gate opposite the Taj hotel that was used to hire private speedboats.

Since Saif didn’t want to stay at the location, he would land up at Gateway at 7.30 in the morning and take the boat to Alibaug. He did this everyday. It would take him about 20 minutes to reach Alibaug.”

Kunal adds that Ameesha developed fever during the shoot of the song and they had to stop the shoot. “We were shooting in January when it was quite chilly.

The entire pool was freezing, and since Ameesha had to get in the water we had to heat up the entire pool every time she stepped in. That took us over two weeks.”

Apart from the shoot at the resort, Kunal has also shot underwater for portions in the song. “This isn’t just a sensous song, it’s a part of the film and there’s a plot happening in it. We used a special camera for the underwater scenes and also had someone do the visual effects.”

Magic or Magick

After an impressive Hum Tum, and just-about-average Ta Ra Rum Pum, will Saif Ali Khan and Rani Mukerji create magic in their next film Thoda Pyaar Thoda Magic?

The numerologists don’t think so. Numerologist Niraj Mancchanda says, “Thoda Pyaar Thoda Magic comes to a number 13.

That means ‘expect the unexpected’. Not only the title, but even Kunal’s company’s name also comes to a number 13. Thus, the movie will fail at the box office.

But since the film was completed without any title, and the title was finalised only recently, Kunal will make a great film that’ll garner rave reviews, but the box office collections will not be great. In fact the collections will be below expectations!”

Numerologist Bhavikk Sangghvi suggests that Kunal should add an extra ‘K’ to the title. “Thoda Pyaar Thoda Magick will create the karishma which the makers want at the box office,” he says. Now, will it be ‘magic’ or ‘magick’ for Saif and Rani? That remains to be seen.

Rani McPhee

Aditya Chopra remade Nanny McPhee as Thoda Pyaar Thoda Magic, after the actress recommended it

Fly With Me! (Leftt) Rani Mukerji in Thoda Pyaar Thoda Magic; Grounded? (Right) A still from Nanny McPhee

Ever since Kunal Kohli began work on his next, starring Rani Mukerji and Saif Ali Khan, the project has been touted to be a remake of Mary Poppins.

However it is now learnt that the Yash Raj film, which was recently titled Thoda Pyaar Thoda Magic (TPTM), is also greatly inspired from a more recent Hollywood film — Nanny McPhee.

The 2006 Emma Thompson-starrer had the actress play a nanny with magical powers. She pays a visit to Colin Firth, a single parent with six kids. While Colin and the kids don’t get along, it’s Nanny McPhee who brings a truce between the two.

TPTM has a man (Saif) living with four kids who is visited by a fairy (Rani). The film also has elements of magic and romance.

On being asked if his film bore a resemblance to Nanny McPhee, Kunal remarks, “I’m just waiting to be told about the next film I’m inspired from.”

But the source informs, “It was Rani who watched Nanny McPhee on a flight and suggested it should be remade. She had a word with producer Aditya Chopra who hadn’t seen the film.

Rani was quite impressed with McPhee. She was heard telling close friends how the film had all the right elements for a B-Town film. Her only concern was that unlike the original, the fairy in the remake had to be up to B-Town’s standards — good-looking and glamorous.”

Apparently, Aditya, who watches a lot of foreign flicks, asked for a copy of Nanny McPhee and was impressed with the storyline. “He went ahead with Rani’s suggestion and Indianised it.

In TPTM, Rani plays a mediator between Saif and his kids. Eventually there’s romance between the two, while Ameesha plays the third angle,” adds the source.

Tushar Joshi

Kunal Kohli’s title in trouble

Kunal Kohli announced his forthcoming film’s title on Wednesday. After a long wait he titled it as Thoda Pyar Thoda Magic but he wasn’t aware that the similar title has already been registered by another producer.

According to actor turned producer Sahil Chadha, he has registered the same title in 2006. He confirms “Yes it’s true. I had my title Thoda Life Thoda Magic registered two and half years back when I thought of making a film. A friend from the media informed me about Kunal Kohli’s film title Thoda Pyar Thoda Magic which is the same as my film’s title.”

However Chadha has already taken action and informed IMPA about it. He says, “I tried to contact Kunal regarding the same but have not managed to talk to him yet. His title is the same as my title and the audience may get confused by that. I have sent a letter to IMPA regarding the same.”

Kunal Kohli’s film revolves around Saif - a rich man, four orphan kids and Rani, who plays the role of an angel who comes in their lives to help them get rid of their worries. On the other hand Sahil Chadha’s film is about a man who believes in living life by spreading magic in others life. It is a feel good film. Jackie Shroff will be the main protagonist of the film. It also stars Mira Vasudevan, Salhil Chadha Arbaaz Khan and Anita Raaj in prominent roles.

According to Chadha his film is ready for release and he is planning to release it in May. Interestingly Kunal Kohli’s film releases at the same time in the same month. He further continues, “I have no objection if they change the title to Thoda Magic Ho Jaye . It’s a Yash Raj film and I have grown up watching their movies. I have nothing against them but the similar title will create confusion for audience.”

However, the title fight is not new for Yash Raj Films. Before this they had to face similar problems for Saif and Rani starrer Ta Ra Rum Pum . It can be recalled that Pradeep Sarkar’s Laga Chunari Main Daag was earlier registered by Producers Himanshu Joshi and Hirachand Jogani of Bhoomi Shree Pictures. Though Yash Raj Films had requested them to give this title, the producers refused. Hence Yash Raj had to register it as Laaga Chunari Mein Daag - The Journey Of A Woman.

Hope Kunal’s film gets right title.

Reshma Kelkar

Ameesha Patel in Kunal Kohli's Thoda Pyaar Thoda Magic

Yash Raj Films and Kunal Kohli are finally out with the name of their forthcoming film starring Rani Mukherjee and Saif Ali Khan. The film is now titled Thoda Pyaar Thoda Magic. “We just got the title 3 or 4 days back. Thoda Pyaar Thoda Magic came by as I was looking for a title that was more relevant in today’s times, something that even a lay man can relate to. The name has to go the beyond the film and should be able to express more. And when we speak of Magic, it’s not ‘jadugar’ magic. It basically, talks about the little magic we need in our lives. Say sometimes you are upset, sad, or down and that little ray of magic works things out. We all need magic in our lives and that’s what the film does. It’s like a silver lining, it’s like the magic of life”, explains Kunal Kohli.

The buzz of Ameesha being in Kunal’s film already gave rise to various rumors of her doing an item number and so on. Clearing all rumors, Kunal states, “It is not an item number. I hate the term ‘item number’ in the first place. Yes, she doing my film but it’s not what you think. Ameesha is doing a guest appearance in the film and it’s a character role, which would also have a song. The song is not an item number but a beautiful and poetic song. She would have scenes as well; I do not believe in the concept of item numbers and do not like it being associated to my song. I asked Ameesha to do the role because the kind of character I had built, I thought she would be able to do justice to the role. I approached her, explained the role, and told her there was a song as well. What is more important is her role and not the song. When she heard the role, she was excited and agreed to do the role immediately. She basically loved her part in the film.”

So what is Thoda Pyaar Thoda Magic is all about? “The film is very different from all my previous films. I do not have the same style of directing in any of my films. It’s a combination of fantasy and reality. All my films have been different, but none had fantasy as an element in it. The genre of this film is slightly different. Fantasy is interwoven with reality like in Mr. India, Krissh and Koi Mil Gaya. These films have kids but are not directed only towards kids, it could be watched by audiences of all ages. Kids now- a-days are very intelligent and you cannot talk down to them. They have to be treated with respect. My film is an entertaining Hindi film, which is for kids as well as the masses”, says Kunal.

The film’s shooting is complete and it is now into post production. Shankar Ehsaan Loy have given the music for Thoda Pyaar Thoda Magic and the lyrics are by Prasoon Joshi. “The music is releasing on May 22nd or 23rd. It’s a complete mix of emotional and upbeat music. The music of my films have always been strong and interesting and SEL have done a fabulous job on this. As for Prasoon, he is extremely talented”, says Kohli.

First Look - Thoda Pyaar Thoda Magie

Single costume for Rani in Kunal Kohli's next ?

While most know about it, for those who do not, the 'Rani' of Bollywood is playing a fairy ('apsara/pari') in Kunal Kohli's next. An interesting aspect of the film is that Rani is expected to be seen in just one costume (complete with a magic wand!) throughout the film, as per the requirement of her character.

Ms. Mukerji has been busy shooting for the venture for a while now, sans her hero, Saif Ali Khan. Her co-star (in the film) has off late been busy with the shooting of Yash Raj's TASHAN and other happenings in his personal life! However, the 'Chote Nawab' is expected to join the shoot anytime.

As per the tentative schedule, the shooting of the latest venture from the director of films like MUJHSE DOSTI KAROGE (2002), HUM TUM (2004) and FANAA (2006), is expected to be complete by the year end.

Abid, Bollywood Trade News Network

Saif opts out of Karan Johar's flick for Kunal's!

Saif Ali Khan has chosen to walk out of Tarun Mansukhani' directorial debut, to be produced by Karan Johar.

According to Saif, it's the shooting dates of his previous commitment with Kunal Kohli that has made him make this move.

aif couldn't work in both the films simultaneously as both the films demand certain look out of the actor. Earlier Saif has worked with both Karan Johar and Kunal Kohli in Kal Ho Na Ho and Hum Tum respectively. Both turned out to be big hits, boosting Saif's film career.

Rajiv Dutta, IndiaTarget

Kunal Kohli to judge the Asian First Film Festival

Though Kohli has taken a break from movies post Fanaa, the man has enough of things around to keep him busy. Kohli has recently received the honor to be on the jury panel of the Asian First Film Festival (AFFF) that will be held in Singapore from November 30 to December 7. He will be the only Bollywood director on the jury.

Apart from the judging films for AFFF, Kunal Kohli is also busy with judging the dance show Nach Baliye on television. He also recently, Martin Scorsese during the special screening of his film The Departed after which he had a long chat with the director. The success of Fanaa is definitely showing on Kunal Kohli with the actor going “places” literally.