Hot Muggs merchandise for Roadside Romeo

Hot Muggs, a stylised drinkware concept, has entered into an alliance with Yash Raj Films for producing licensed merchandise on Roadside Romeo. With about a dozen characters in Roadside Romeo, this is the first animated film with an India-U.S. co-production of Yash Raj Films and the Walt Disney Company, and is scheduled for release on October 24, 2008.

With the concept of film merchandising catching on in the Indian film industry, Hot Muggs has integrated a first time concept of incorporating cool one-liners from the movie like "Tension Not", "Stay Cool" and "I'm Good Na" on the mugs. These mugs will not only appeal to the movie lovers but also to a wider audience who emote with the appeal and positioning of the characters from the movie.

The merchandise has been designed, manufactured and marketed by Hot Muggs, and will be available at malls, bookstores, and concept shops in over 40 cities across the country. Cartoon characters-based merchandising market is expected to be in the region of Rs.300 crore. Hot Muggs plans to promote the merchandise through a multi-channel promotional campaign with emphasis on below-the-line activities and other promotional programs.

Mr.Rishi Jain, Managing Director - Hot Muggs, said, "The product class of Hot Muggs, the concept of entertainment, funkiness, adventure, adaptability has an ideal connect with Roadside Romeo. Characters such a Romeo - a small cute looking pet of a super rich human family, Laila - the hottest girl ever, Charlie Anna - the dreaded Don of the Slum, these characters lend themselves to being merchandised. We are upbeat about the fact that we not just offering a product or merchandise, but an object of desire that one would want to own."

YRF gets ready to unleash 'ROADSIDE ROMEO'

YRF was facing horrific times at the box office before Siddharth Anand resurrected the production house with a successful BACHNA AE HASEENO. And now it is up to a bunch of dogs to further get some smiles on with ROADSIDE ROMEO finally getting ready for release.

Readers may remember that earlier on, YRF had announced the film's arrival to be in summer 2008. However, the film got delayed as the production house was striving to get the best of animation in place for ROADSIDE ROMEO that features voices of Saif Ali Khan, Kareena Kapoor and Javed Jafferi.

Now the film is back in news as the film's audio has hit the stands. Salim–Sulaiman has composed music for this film which is now confirmed for 24th October arrival. Directed by Jugal Hansraj, the film would face competition from HEROES (which releases on the same day) and later GOLMAAL RETURNS, FASHION and EMI that arrive a week later.

Roadside Romeo - First Look

Animated alike

Roadside Romeo and Kuchi Kuchi Hota Hai's promos are pretty similar

The promos of Yash Raj’s Roadside Romeo, directed by Jugal Hansraj, have been doing the rounds for the last few months.

The animated film has Saif Ali Khan and Kareena Kapoor doing voiceovers for the two canines.

Karan Johar, too, is making his animated version of the Shah Rukh-Kajol starrer Kuch Kuch Hota Hai which he has titled Kuchi Kuchi Hota Hai. The cast of the film comprises animals, including canines.

A source working on the project reveals that the soon-to-be-released promos for KKHH are quite similar to Roadside Romeo!

Maple leaves

“One of the promos of Roadside Romeo has maple tree leaves fluttering about in the opening sequence before Kareena’s character walks in. KKHH also has leaves quivering to the tunes of the film’s score.

Now that Romeo’s promo is out, Karan doesn’t want to give an impression that his promo looks similar to the Yash Raj film.”

Along with their recent release, Tashan, Yash Raj also unveiled new teasers about Roadside Romeo which revolve around Kareena’s character who gives an introduction to the audience. The film is slated for a Diwali release.

Though it’s Karan’s film, Tarun Mansukhani has taken an active interest in KKHH as well. Adds the source, “Tarun is busy directing Dostana now but he did closely work on the promos.”

Will KJo change the promos for his film or go ahead with the original ones? We’ll be waiting and watching for that!

Tushar Joshi

Saif's line up for year 2008

Months after the release of Om Shanti Om and Welcome, a film has managed to take a stupendous opening at the box office. Race, the film which Bollywood was looking forward to after a relative lean 2008 (that only had Jodhaa Akbar, has got audience back into the theaters.

The film has worked all over, whether A, B or C centers, and is drawing all segments of audience with family crowds as well as student community thronging the theaters. In addition, Race has turned out to be one of those few films which has broken single screens v/s multiplex audience and taken an exceptional opening all over.

No wonder, Saif Ali Khan is on cloud nine as he, along with Bipasha Basu, has been appreciated most for his performance. With a solid success under his belt, Saif is now turning out to be the most versatile of the top lot after experimenting with Being Cyrus (dark), Omkara (villain) and Ta Ra Rum Pum (candy floss).

Saif has firmly established a quartet of Khans now which was earlier restricted to Shah Rukh, Aamir and Salman. With Akshay Kumar and Hrithik Roshan, we have six most saleable actors in Bollywood now who can afford to have a film run completely on their shoulders even if they have a solo hero release.

With great expectations from him, Saif Ali Khan's four upcoming films in 2008 are being looked at with great interest. Here are the reasons why:

Tashan

Just one week into its promotion and Tashan is already creating amazing buzz. And why not? After all it has super success written all over with names like Aditya Chopra, Akshay Kumar, Anil Kapoor, Saif Ali Khan, Kareena Kapoor, Vishal and Shekhar involved. With the film's punch line - The ishtyle, the goodluck, the pharmoola - managing to throw quite a punch, the film is said to have an unabashed entertainment quotient with a holds-no-bar approach towards making commercial cinema.

Kunal Kohli's next

Absolutely nothing is known about this project, not even the title. Still, one thing which is clear is that there are fantasy elements in this film, courtesy Rani Mukherjee's fairy act. Director Kunal Kohli and Saif Ali Khan had given a new lease of life to each other when they came together last in Hum Tum. This time around they also have Amisha Patel for company. Arriving this summer, this film is set as a mandatory candy floss entertainer from the house of Yash Raj Films.

Roadside Romeo

So what if the only thing we get to see (or rather hear) of Saif in Roadside Romeo is his voice! He still has Kareena for company and as a dog and bitch (in Saif's own words), it is going to be quite some pairing at work. Though one wonders if actor turned director Jugal Hansraj would indeed be able to come up with an animation film which would be able to match international standards, Yash Raj Films' backing makes one confident of the project. Arriving this Diwali, the film is being pitched as a festive family entertainer.

Imtiaz Ali's next

Jab Imtiaz Met Saif and also roped in Deepika Padukone, magic to hona hi hai! Yet untitled, this is one of the most exciting projects of the year and already announced as a Christmas release. It is said to be yet another 'different' yet entertaining piece of cinema from Imtiaz Ali who has defied stereotype twice in Jab We Met and Socha Na Tha. With Saif also producing the film and looking at pushing the envelope, audiences won't settle down for anything less than extraordinary. Expect a grand finale to 2008 with the film's release!

Bollywood Hungama

Khan v/s Khan v/s Khan this October

It's going to be one smash hit festive season this October as films starring the three mega Khans hit the screens. These are Aamir Khan's remake of GHAJINI, Saif Ali Khan's animation flick ROADSIDE ROMEO and Salman Khan's YUVRAAJ.

Each of the three films is special since they tell a story belonging to different genres. While GHAJINI is hardcore 'masala' entertainer with loads of action, drama, romance and emotions, ROADSIDE ROMEO is a comic entertainer with Yash Raj Films' first foray into the world of animation. Kareena Kapoor and Javed Jaffrey are Saif's partners as they dub for the animated characters.

On the other hand YUVRAAJ is a mega film for Subhash Ghai as he aims at making a big comeback with this dramatic musical. With names like Anil Kapoor, Katrina Kaif and A.R. Rahman involved, YUVRAAJ has a lot in stakes for everyone involved.

All three projects being prestigious and much anticipated in their own right, GHAJINI, ROADSIDE ROMEO and YUVRAAJ have already made the month of October look extremely hot. While GHAJINI arrives on 2nd October, the remaining two flicks clash on Diwali i.e. 24th October.

Joginder Tuteja, Bollywood Trade News Network

Yash Raj’s High Five

The Yash Raj calendar for 2008 features their releases for the year. Here's the first look

Tashan

Releasing on: April 25
USP: Fully Formula!
Starring: Akshay Kumar, Saif Ali Khan, Kareena Kapoor and Anil Kapoor.
Directed by: Vijay Krishna Acharya, the scriptwriter of Dhoom and Dhoom 2.
It’s about: An irreverent call center executive, a wannabe gangster, a femme fatale and a murderer!

Bachna Ae Haseeno

Starring: Ranbir Kapoor, Bipasha Basu, Deepika Padukone and Minissha Lamba
Releasing on: On August 15
USP: Ishq-vishq, pyaar-vyaar.
Directed by: Siddharth Anand
It's about: The alpha male Ranbir and his relationships with the three ladies.

Rab Ne Bana Di Jodi

Starring: Shah Rukh Khan
Releasing on: Diwali week
USP: Adi is directing after eight years.
Directed by: Aditya Chopra
It’s about: Love and Romance. Adi won’t reveal anything more about his baby!

Untitled

Starring: Saif Ali Khan, Rani Mukerji, four kids with attitude and God!
Releasing on: June 27
USP: Unique Storyline!
Directed by: Kunal Kohli.
It’s about: Romance, comedy, drama, pathos, fantasy and more.

Roadside Romeo

Starring: Saif Ali Khan, Kareena Kapoor and Jaaved Jafferi
Releasing on: October 24
USP: It’s animated!
Directed by: Jugal Hansraj
It’s about: It’s the story of a rich, cool, spoilt brat of a dog who is abandoned on the streets and now faces problems he has never had before.

Mid-Day