Bhansali lashes out against SRK and Saif for ridiculing him

Noted film expert, author and NDTV's consulting editor, films, Anupama Chopra interviewed Sanjay Leela Bhansali in Paris. The show, aired over the weekend, featured clips of Bhansali's mega musical Padmavati, being staged in Paris, and was also successful in getting Bhansali to finally react to a lot of things.

Sporting a kurta and a shawl, Bhansali, seemed prepared to face the questions when Chopra asked him about the barbs directed at him in recent times. She was referring to the Filmfare award ceremonies where Saawariya and Bhansali were the objects of ridicule, especially in the hands of star anchors Shah Rukh Khan and Saif Ali Khan. (Read all about it: SRK and Saif's Filmfare antics )

"They have no dignity," said Bhansali. "It makes me upset when people (like Shah Rukh) who have worked with me, say and do the things they did. I cannot ever imagine Mr Bachchan or Naseeruddin Shah to do something like this," said Bhansali, adding, "I respect them a lot." The 'mockery' as Bhansali put it, was completely uncalled for. Not stopping at that, Bhansali went on to express his displeasure about the platform that gave them the license to behave in such an unsavoury fashion and the people "who found the whole thing funny and sat through it all, laughing." Such undignified behaviour affects the credibility of the award ceremony as well, he added. "I don't know why they behaved like that," he sighed.

Bhansali also reacted to Chopra's question on the media backlash to Saawariya, saying,"In some cases the attacks were getting personal. But I grew stronger with every criticism."

It was obvious Bhansali holds his baby dear, when he said, "All those who said they hated my film, actually know how important a film it is." (He sounded eerily like Subhash Ghai, who maintains Yaadein, the BO disaster, will be considered a classic some day). Arrogance you would say? Well, the director, who is now basking in the glory of his Parisian opera, offered this, "I am indulgent yes, but not arrogant. I come from the Vidhu Vinod Chopra school of filmmaking."

Well, Mr Chopra is not modesty personified, is he now?

Among other things, Anupama Chopra's crisp interview touched upon the musical itself, and Bhansali explained why Padmavati, the story of a princess who commits Sati is not a 'tragedy.' "It takes a lot of courage to be able to set oneself on fire," said Bhansali. The director said the virtues of pride and honour make Padmavati a story of strength.

Even then, one was actually waiting for Bhansali to resurface thus, post his Saawariya debacle, the severe backlash, the merciless jibes and most importantly, the mockery of his craft on a platform such as the Filmfare awards and to some extent the Screen awards. It was actually quite good to see the director keeping himself away from all this and gainfully occupied. Though he cleverly evaded all questions about his romantic liaisons (with choreographer Vaibhavi Merchant), Bhansali, seemed calmer and more collected than he's been in a long time. Maybe it's the weather in Paris.

Anupama Chopra, NDTV

Cast and director won't promote Saawariya DVD

Sony Pictures Entertainment has been planning to release the DVD of their maiden Bollywood flick Saawariya for a long time. But the Hollywood giants aren’t really getting any support from the film’s director, Sanjay Leela Bhansali and the cast.

Still hopin’

According to a source, “Saawariya was released well over three months back and although it lost money, the overseas producers Sony Pictures have not lost hope. They reckon that the film will still bring in a handsome amount back through the DVD market.”

The disc of Om Shanti Om which released on the same day as Saawariya is already out.

The insider continues, “Sony Pictures wanted to have a huge event to launch the DVD but neither the cast and nor the director seem to have time. Looks like Sanjay Bhansali, who, is also the co-producer of the film, has lost interest in the film. Meanwhile, Sonam Kapoor and Ranbir Kapoor are busy with their new projects.”

A spokesperson for Sony Pictures Entertainment, who didn’t want to be named said, “Sanjay is busy with his opera in Paris and the company can’t seem to get a proper dialogue with him regarding the DVD release. As the rights of the film are with us we are now going to go ahead and release the feature in the market soon. We were planning something extravagant but now it is going to be a silent release.”

Ranbir Kapoor gets pricey

Ranbir Kapoor may be a newcomer but he sure can drive a hard bargain. Shortly after Saawariya, this debutante embarked on his signing spree. And Yash Raj films was one of the first people to offer him a role. Now we all know dahlings, YRF is famous for paying its actors far less than their market price. In fact what Ranbir was offered less than half his market rate.But apna Ranbir refused to buckle down. He did take a slight cut on his market rate (maybe ten percent less than what he commands these days), nowhere near the piddly amounts Yash Raj has been used to doling out so far. Well, it fits. Today Ranbir's equity is on the ascent but 2007 has been a bleak year for YRF. Way to go Ranbir!

Buzz18

Rani in guinness ?

Guess what’s the scoop of the week? Rani Mukerji is aiming for a world record.

Wana know how? Now hold your breath... the buzz in B-Town is that after Mangal Pandey- The Rising, Laaga Chunari Mein Daag and Saawariya she is on her way to play a prostitute for the fourth time in less than a year and this role will take her name straight to the Guinness book of records for being an actress who has played a reel prostitute for the maximum number of times. Quite an unusual attempt, one must say.

TNN

Box office 2007: Comedies steal the show

Khallas ! It's closing time and the booking window at Bollywood is still grinning, despite the series of flops in the last two weeks.

If Yash Chopra's much-awaited Madhuri magic failed to work its jaadu with Aaja Nachle clicking a mere Rs 11 crore in its first week, then Sudhir Mishra's film noir, Khoya Khoya Chand managed a mere 15% opening this Friday, along with an equally dismal show for Sanjay Gupta's star-heavy Dus Kahaniyan , which opened to just 30% occupancy. Last week, John Abraham's histrinoics in the football field too offered no cause for celebration. Dhan Dhan Dhana Goal has garnered a two-weeks gross of only Rs 15 crore.

So why's Bollywood grinning? Year 2006 has gone down in Bollywood history as the turnaround year, when the top 25 films grossed a total of Rs 620 crore, which was a 26% increase over the grosses of 2005. This was the year that witnessed a renewed Dhoom ( Dhoom 2 ) in film-making and set the tone for a braver, bouncier 2007.

Officially, 2007 too has just ten certified hits, which almost measures up to last year's list that boasts of biggies like Rang De Basanti, Fanaa, Omkara ... But it's the money that makes the real difference. Year 2007 boasts of one the biggest hits of the decade.

Om Shanti Om has already outgrossed the 21st century's biggest hit, Gadar (with a net adjusted gross of Rs 94 crore) with a staggering BO bounty of Rs 76 crore and is still going strong. Blame it on Shah Rukh Khan's charisma or Deepika Padukone's dusky sensuality, but the film has managed to make its millions despite being nothing more than a comedy circus that has no after-hours impact, whatsoever.

Seeing the staggering response, the industry has anointed Farah Khan as 'The Entertainer', replacing Karan Johar and his brand of Mumbai-meets-Manhattan masala .

But that's just the tip of the cherry shake. Yesterday's Badshah of Blah, David Dhawan too made a comeback in a blockbuster way with his desi Hitch, Partner , grossing Rs 62 crore. Again, the film hardly matched the rib tickling humour of Dhawan's earlier teasers like Coolie No. 1 and Hero No. 1 , but the Salman and Govinda chemistry clicked in a big way. The year definitely belonged to comedies and comedies alone, with Partner leading the laugh riot which includes Dhamaal, Heyy Babyy, Dhol and Bhool Bhulaiyya . Add OSO to this, and you’ll find the top 10 list already has six comedies in it.

At the number two position, there is more serious stuff: Chak De India with Rs 65 crore in its coffers. Surely, this can easily be crowned the film of the year with its gentle, subtle and straight-from-the-heart message of desh-prem which must necessarily sift out regional chauvinism and minority bashing from its ambit. More importantly, Chak De India can easily go down in SRK’s filmography as his best performance, till date.

The rest of the winners include Mani Ratnam's Guru, Imtiaz Ali's Jab We Met and Vipul Shah's Namastey London . All these films have grossed more than Rs 30 crore. And if the top 10 haven't created a storm at the box office, there are a number of semi-hits which have kept the industry afloat. Films like Apne, Aap Ka suroor, Shootout at Lokhandwala , Bheja Fry, Khosla ka Ghosla, Metro, Black Friday, Parzania , The Namesake and Honeymoon Travels have shown that the industry is eager to tread the untrodden path and definitely wants to break new ground.

Surely, it will take more than a Salaam-e-Ishq, Jhoom Barabar Jhoom , or a Ram Gopal Ki Aag to script its doom story. Perhaps nobody reflects the current mood better than the house of Yash Chopra Inc, which shows a dismal record of four flops ( Tara Rum Pum, Jhoom Barabar Jhoom, Laga Chunari Mein Daag, Aaj Nachle ) on one side of the coin and Chak De India glittering on the other side of it. Hits or flops, the show just keeps going on and on.

Nikhat Kazmi,TNN

Ranbir's buddy-buddy baatein

As Ranbir Kapoor went into his second film from this week, a wonderful coincidence comes into light.

Over to Ranbir. "My father's co-star in his second film Raffoo Chakkar was the super-talented Paintal. Now in my second film (the untitled Yashraj Film to be directed by Siddharth Anand) Paintalji's son Hiten plays my friend. Isn't that quite a coincidence?"

Continues Ranbir, "That isn't all. My dad's first song was sung by Shailendra Singh. My first song in Saawariya was also sung by a Shailendra (Shail Hada)."

Subhash K. Jha, IndiaFM

Sonam Kapoor feels that her best scenes in Saawariya were chopped!

If sources are to be believed, debutante Sonam Kapoor had shot far too many sequences for Sanjay Leela Bhansali's Saawariya than what we have seen in the film.

The 22-year-old actress has been telling friends that many of the scenes flattering her beauty didn't make it to the final print. A reliable source says, She has shot far better sequences than the ones that are shown in the film. Unfortunately, the director didn't use those.

However, Sonam is not in a mood for making unpleasant revelations. In an email interview with Mumbai Mirror she says, That happens in any film. Scenes are meant to be edited for the betterment of the film. As an actor, one has to be prepared for it.

Like most docile newcomers she has decided to preoccupy herself with the compliments she has been receiving. The actress, who finds giving out autographs quite cool, says, I have received so many of them, and every compliment is special. Two compliments that meant a lot to me are from Shekhar (Kapoor) uncle and Bebo (Kareena Kapoor). He said that I came across as very intelligent and sensitive on screen. Bebo sent a message to my mom saying, Sonam is a born star, she looked stunning and acted like a seasoned actress.

Sonam is now gearing up for her next production, Rakyesh Om Praksh Mehra's Dilli 6. But she is not allowed to give out any details about Mehra's film. When asked about her character in Dilli 6, all she says is, No comments.

Rajiv Dutta, IndiaTarget

Shah Rukh invites Bhansali to Om Shanti Om party!

Not one to let bygones be bygones, Shah Rukh Khan is rubbing more salt into the wounds of Sanjay Leela Bhansali, by inviting him and the rest of the Saawariya cast and crew to a Om Shanti Om success party.

Tonight will see a book being launched, The Making of Om Shanti Om, and the whole of Bollywood will be present. A source has aslo confirmed, “They have surely invited the Saawariya team. Despite rumours that things are not so well between SRK and Bhansali, the actor has always mentioned that Bhansali has given him one of his biggest hits, Devdas. However, it will be interesting to see if Bhansali comes to the event.”

Rajiv Dutta, India Target

"I love SRK and have great respect" - Bhansali

Sanjay Leela Bhansali believes the tide is turning towards his much-hyped film. CT asked the film-maker a few pointed
questions. Like...

Is there always much expectation riding on your films?
I don’t want to believe this and get bogged down. I don’t believe that I am bigger than my product. If I have made experimental films, then I have given good entertaining films as well. I don’t want to be predictable.

What’s negative about Saawariya?
It defeats all logic to say Saawariya is a bad film just because some critics didn’t appreciate it. But slowly, I can see people are going to the theatres and appreciating different aspects of the film. It’s a positive change. The wave has begun.

And what’s positive about it?
That I made a film with two absolute newcomers and released it with a film that has the country’s reigning
superstar, Shah Rukh Khan.

If you could, would you change anything in Saawariya ?
No, it’s the most elegant and best work of my life. I am living in the hope that the audience will understand that there is an approach which goes beyond the typical potboiler in film-making.

You’ve taken potshots at Om Shanti Om and Shah Rukh Khan because things haven’t gone right for you?
I love SRK and have great respect, admiration and regard for him. He has the same for me. My larger point is, why compare a tennis match to a 100 metre race?

TNN

Exhibitors opt for JWM, dropping SAAWARIYA

Strange as it may sound, but from today (Friday), many of the exhibitors are going to opt for the three week old Shahid-Kareena starrer, JAB WE MET, removing SAAWARIYA. The trend is very pronounced in small centers and single screens. Even many of the leading multiplexes / cineplexes have reduced the number of shows of the one week old SAAWARIYA and have reverted to JAB WE MET, which did exceedingly well during its two week run.

When we talked to the concerned people, the view is unanimous- After Monday, the collections of SAAWARIYA are going down alarmingly with each passing day, and there is little or no hope of a pick-up. As per inputs available with us and going by the paying audiences reaction, it was inevitable, and we are not surprised.

While on JAB WE MET, the movie was rock steady, even in the second week (check out our latest box-office report), and had to be prematurely removed, to make way for the heavyweight 'Diwali' biggies like OM SHANTI OM and SAAWARIYA.

Abid, Bollywood Trade News Network

"SRK has no rights to destroy 150 people" - Bhansali

Sanjay Leela Bhansali has come out fighting in defense of his movie Saawariya, and at the top of his target list is… Shah Rukh Khan.

As Om Shanti Om runs away with the top accolades for the Diwali battle, director Sanjay Leela Bhansali has gone on record to ask the Bollywood King Shah Rukh Khan some very awkward questions. “Shah Rukh Khan is the king of Bollywood. He can say whatever he likes. But why is he going around saying, ‘I will destroy them?' Where is the dignity of the reigning superstar? Why compare yourself to a film with two newcomers? Who are you to destroy them? Have you created them? Do we eat off your plate? Have we made the film with your money? What gives you the right to say you will destroy 150 people who have invested so much in the film? Let people judge. It's a film with good values, and principles, people should appreciate that,” said an angry Bhansali last night.

He then went on to express his disappointment further, “You feel disappointed. We decided that we'll maintain a certain dignity and not pull each other's films down. But then he started making comments like he will destroy us.”

When asked about the success of Om Shanti Om, Bhansali responded, “I feel that acting is not about six-packs but I've never said it until now. Why ‘destroy' us? It's time for new cinema, cricketers, politicians. Let the newcomers like Ranbir come in. Shah Rukh Khan will remain a king. Just because People love (Mahendra Singh) Dhoni, it doesn't mean they will forget Sachin (Tendulkar).”

Maybe positioning Saawariya against Om Shanti Om was not a good strategy, “I've got a big opening. No other filmmaker would've got that against a Shah Rukh Khan film, and it's a big deal. We got the biggest opening for an Indian film with newcomers in the lead. Anyway, why compare two completely different films? My films are about art, and OSO is about commerce. People are walking out of OSO too, so why are we only talking about people not liking Saawariya? There is an agenda to this,” responded Bhansali positively.

When asked about why critics such as Komal Nahta and Taran Adarsh blasted the movie, Bhansali responded, ““Only a handful of critics are trying to influence the audience against the film…Komal and Taran belong to the cinema of the eighties, they are antiquated and I never expected them to understand ‘Saawariya'. Great cinema should be kept away from such reviewers.”

Rajiv Dutta, Indiatarget

“Saawariya is a good film not coz of Sonam!”

Saawariya is all set to release and much pen and paper has been consumed in writing about Raj Kapoor’s khandaan and how his great grand son Ranbir has carried forward his family’s filmy legacy.

However this film is also special for the other Kapoors! Sonam Kapoor, daughter of actor Anil Kapoor debuts in this Bhansali’s magnum opus and the entire family is anxiously awaiting her film’s release.

We caught up with Arjun Kapoor, son of Sonam’s film producer uncle Boney Kapoor to know what has been happening in the Kapoor household as the release date of Saawariya nears...

“Our family is excited and looking forward to seeing the film at its premiere. One more member of our family is entering films and it’s a great feeling”, says the budding filmmaker.

So how does Arjun feel about his younger sister’s potential as an actor? “I feel Saawariya will do well not just because Sonam is in it but because the film itself is good. I am sure Sonam has done a fantastic job. We’ve grown up together and both of us have been assisting renowned directors since we were in our early teens! She has worked hard for this film and I am sure her efforts won’t go unnoticed.”

So has Arjun seen the film, we wonder. “No, I haven’t seen the film but will see it with family soon at the premiere. I have seen few portions though.”

Also will he cast Sonam in his first film as a director? “Let’s see. I am just scripting for my film, which I intend to direct as well. I haven’t thought about casting as yet. Salman Khan is a close friend and Sonam is family but that doesn’t mean I have already signed them, as many seem to believe. Let’s see how the script shapes up. The film is an action thriller which will be produced by my dad Boney Kapoor.”

Won’t he too like to act like Sonam? “No I’ve always wanted to be a director. Since the age of 16 I have been assisting. I have assisted Nikhil Advani for Kal Ho Naa Ho and Salaam-E-Ishq . I have also assisted for No Entry ”, he concludes.

Renuka Vyavahare, Indiatimes Movies

Farah and Sanjay battle it out

Farah Khan and Sanjay Leela Bhansali had indulged in a war of words some time ago


And the war between Om Shanti Om and Saawariya took a completely different meaning from then on.

But both the filmmakers are hell bent on promoting their movies now, and are not necessarily interested in talking about the other. At the very mention of Farah, Bhansali simply joins his hands and takes his leave, and when we quiz Farah about Bhansali, she’s quick to say that it’s only Om Shanti Om that she’s promoting and nothing else. So is the war going on quietly ‘behind the scenes’?

TNN

"I haven't signed any film yet." - Ranbir Kapoor

While on SAAWARIYA, one keeps hearing about the number of films Ranbir Kapoor has signed even before his first film has hit the screens. Reportedly, he already has four films under his belt:- Yash Raj’s new film, to be directed by Siddharth Raj Anand; Rajkumar Hirani’s next project; BLACK and SAAWARIYA cinematographer K. Ravi Chandran’s directorial debut; R.K. Films’ new film, to be directed by dad Rishi Kapoor.

“Let me clarify, I haven’t signed any film yet. There’s nothing official on any film, as of now,” Ranbir informs me. Okay, what’s the status on each of those films? “Siddharth is a friend. We’ve grown up together. Yes, we’re talking about a film, but it’s not on paper yet. As for Raju Hirani’s film, I’d love to work with him. But he hasn’t approached me for any film. I really don’t know how this news originated,” he clarifies.

What about K. Ravi Chandran’s film? And also R.K.’s next production? “It’s true that Ravi Chandran has approached me for a film, but we haven’t decided anything yet. The talks are in the preliminary stages right now. As for our home-production, yes, it’s a desire to revive the company and we’re working in that direction, but there’s no game plan yet,” he smiles. That should set the rumours to rest!

Taran Adarsh, IndiaFM

Ranbir Kapoor drops the towel

Gone are the days when women shedding clothes for camera used to make news. Today, even men are not far behind, especially in 2007 when first the trio of Akshay Kumar, Fardeen Khan and Riteish Deshmukh did it for HEYY BABYY, followed by Shahrukh Khan in OM SHANTI OM and of course Salman Khan in each of his films.

Now add Ranbir Kapoor to the list who has featured topless in the song 'Jab Se Tere Nain' with just a towel wrapped around his waist. While his boyish charm is at full display in the song as he gets all mooney-eyed for the love of his life, Sonam, there are some naughty antics at display too which should have the women folk swooning.

This is not all as a shot in the song requires him to carelessly fall on the ground with his towel dropping on one side of the body, hence exposing a bountiful of the leggy Kapoor.

Yes, it's all happening in Sanjay Leela Bhansali's SAAWARIYA!

Joginder Tuteja, Bollywood Trade News Network