Sanjay and Maanyata Dutt’s big bash!

Maanyata and Sanjay Dutt brought in their first wedding anniversary last night. The couple threw a big bash at their home in suburban Mumbai.

The guest list included the who’s who of Bollywood –Ajay Devgan, Fardeen Khan, Zayed Khan, Dino Morea, Lara Dutta, Vidya Balan, Riteish Deshmukh, Preity Zinta and Ness Wadia, Kunal Khemu, Aftab Shivdasani, Raj Kumar Hirani, Shatrugan Sinha and his kids, Sujoy Ghosh, Rahul Dholakia, Kirron Kher as well as close friends like Apoorva Lakhia, Abhishek Bachchan, Suniel and Mana Shetty, Amar Singh, Bunty Walia and Dharam Uberoi.

“The party totally rocked. It was amazing. The food, the alcohol… it was the best. And the turnout was fantastic too. It was a great evening,” informs a source from the party, “The champagne kept flowing all night long. It was a fantastic party and one that will be talked about for weeks to come.”

Interestingly, our source says that Dutt, who enjoys his drink, has quit drinking. “Sanju has stopped drinking completely. He is very keen to turn his health around and one of the things he did for that is quit alcohol. But that didn’t stop him from being in high spirits all evening long. He was personally checking on each guest to see that they were eating and drinking.”

Maanyata too was the toast of the evening. “Maanyata personally arranged for everything. She decided on each and every item on the menu. The food was just delicious. She too looked so beautiful in the gold sari that she wore. She ensured that everyone was having a great time. The party was on till the wee hours of the morning.”

While the guests kept dropping in all evening, Dutt’s sisters chose to stay away. “Priya, Namrata and Kumar Gaurav stayed away. They didn’t come up for even a few minutes. They chose to stay away. Also not present at the party were Salman, Shah Rukh and Aamir. They had been invited but cited previous commitments,” adds the source.

Dutt’s Like It
The Dutt guestlist included:
Ameesha and Kanav Puri, Vidya Balan, Riteish Deshmukh, Karan Johar, Ajay Devgan, Fardeen Khan, Zayed and Mallika Khan, Dino Morea, Lara Dutta, Preity Zinta and Ness Wadia, Kunal Khemu, Aftab Shivdasani, Sophie Chaudhary, Raj Kumar Hirani, Shatrugan Sinha and his kids, Sujoy Ghosh, Rahul Dholakia, Kirron Kher, Apoorva Lakhia, Abhishek Bachchan, Amar Singh, Bunty Walia, Shabina Khan, Dharam Uberoi, Suniel and Mana Shetty.

Dutts celebrate one year of togetherness

It’s been an eventful year for Sanjay and Manyata Dutt, who got married as per Hindu customs on Feb 11, 2008.

In the past one year they have steadily remained in news for both personal and professional reasons. The validity of their court marriage was questioned; Sanjay’s family’s refusal to accept Manyata caused a rift between him and his sisters while Manyata tried to win over his daughter Trishala. Professionally, Sanjay launched his production company and his political career.

Now, the couple is capping their eventful one year of togetherness with a big bash at their home in Mumbai. Their first wedding anniversary party is to be held on Feb 10, as Sanjay is to travel to Bangkok the following day.
The preparations for the party have been personally supervised by Manyata and the who’s who of Bollywood is expected to attend.

Meanwhile, Sanjay faced flak from some quarters as earlier this week on his way back from Cape Town he headed to Delhi, at the cost of some appointments in Mumbai, to meet the ailing former Prime minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee.

Was there a political motive behind this trip? No, says Sanjay. He claims it was just out of respect for Atal ji, whose constituency, Lucknow, is being eyed by Sanjay as the launch pad for his political career.

Sanjay Dutt’s Lamhaa is finally complete!

After many hurdles finally Sanjay Dutt and Bipasha Basu's Lamhaa is finally completed. And director Rahul Dholakia and producer Bunty Walia are relieved men.

"Finally Lamhaa is complete and Rahul and I are quite relieved and I'm thankful to Sanjay Dutt who gave special preference for this film. We did a marathon shoot for 60 days without any hurdles in Kashmir recently. This shooting included the climax scenes, many actions sequences and a few songs,” says Bunty Walia.

Speaking about his mate Sanju, Walia says, “He is very professional and did his work at the given time and now just some patch work is remaining. Sanjay Dutt plays the main character in the Kashmir valley. Sanjay plays a military intelligence officer who has his own law in the valley. Sanju's character is the kind of guy who can do anything and so it's quite interesting,” says Walia adding that his film will display the best of Kashmir for Bollywood audiences.

“The film has gone into the post-production stage as the film budget is approximately 30 crores. We are planning to release the movie in the first week of June. I'm not concerned about Sanjay's political rally as he has promised me that in March he will be giving his time for Lamhaa,” he adds.

Lamhaa is directed by Parzania director Rahul Dholakia. The film has been raked in controversy ever since it began. First the locals of the region disrupted the shoots and then Bipasha Basu refused to shoot in Kashmir because of security reasons. However it looks like the film has finally been completed.

Ego clashes between Sanju and Akki

Shree Ashtavinayak Cinevision's under production movie “Blue” is in trouble once again.

Billed as the most expensive film ever to be made in Bollywood, the deep sea drama has periodically been facing glitches.

First there was an underwater mishap in Bahamas. Then it was stalled again due to the busy schedule of Sanjay Dutt and his political plans. And now, a new problem has cropped up.

Reportedly, there have been huge ego clashes on the sets between Akshay Kumar and Sanjay Dutt.

Both of them are senior actors and each wants to be given more prominence than other. If one is given more attention, the other gets upset and vice-versa.

The shoot has been stalled as none of the actors are said to be giving their dates for this project.

The movie stars Sanjay Dutt, Akshay Kumar, Katrina Kaif, Zayed Khan and Lara Dutta.

Sanjay Dutt wants to pattern political career on Obama

After promising Gandhigiri, actor-turned-politician Sanjay Dutt has found new inspiration in Barack Obama and he wants to model his political career after the new US president.

"Like him, I am quite an outsider and an individual who has gotten over many levels of prejudice. I'd like to think of myself as the regular friendly guy next door who came into politics from the cold," said Sanjay, expected to contest Lok Sabha elections from Lucknow as a Samajwadi Party candidate.

"Plus, Obama is a complete family man like me. I'd certainly like to pattern my political career on him," Sanjay told IANS.

He is perhaps the only Bollywood star to have spent time with Obama.

"I met him when he was a senator. I'd marched in an Independence Day rally with him when he was a senator. And we hit it off well. In fact, recently I was called by the UN to be felicitated by Obama's and (former US president Bill) Clinton's families. Unfortunately, Obama couldn't be there," he said.

Now Sanjay is planning to meet Obama during his next visit to the US.

"As the UN's ambassador on malnutrition, I've to again go to the US shortly. I plan to meet up with Obama," he said.

Right now Sanjay is taking his "Munnabhai" fame Gandhigiri seriously in real life.

"I haven't touched alcohol in months. I've become a lemon-water man now. I don't even sneak a drink. If I do, I'll be back guzzling the beverage. For me it's always all or none. The only time I drank was December 31 and that too just a bit."

The actor, currently shooting for "Blue", "Lamhaa" and "Luck", says his next political move depends on the legal system. He has been convicted for possessing illegal firearms ahead of the 1993 serial blasts in Mumbai and is out on bail.

"I'm hopeful I'd be allowed to contest the Lok Sabha elections. They've allowed (former cricketer and Bharatiya Janata Party MP) Navjot Singh Sidhu, who's like my brother, why shouldn't they give me a chance? He was booked under section 304 of IPC (Indian Penal Code) which amounts to culpable homicide.

"Navjot is a wonderful man. Things happen in life. The honourable court understood that and gave Navjot a chance to serve our people. Why can't they give me the same chance? My recent track record is very positive. I'm the UN ambassador on malnutrition. It's a great honour for me and the country."

Sanju's slashing sideburns become rage

Aamir Khan had his fans lattoo over his cropped hair and slashed parting. Now Sanjay Dutt has got designer sideburns for his new movie, Luck. Will this be as big a hit as well? His hairdresser Alim certainly hopes so.

"It's a sidelock with 3 triangles opposite each other," said Alim, "Sanju can carry off anything larger than life… his aura is really huge! He will set a new trend with his facial hair."
Sanju baba says the look came from a conversation with director Soham Shah.

"Soham is very talented and has a very creative outlook. We both sat and discussed the look and I'm very happy that Aalim has styled me exactly as we envisioned," he said.

Alim has been styling Sanjay's hair for many years.

Soham said: "I wanted a look which he had never worn before. I designed a couple of looks on photoshop and Sanju suggested a particular style. Aalim took it to a different level with his international styling experience."

Sanjay Dutt’s campaigning puts his films on hold

Sanjay Dutt is currently involved in his first political campaign for the Samajwadi Party in Lucknow with wife Maanyata in tow. But what this means is that the actor’s film commitments have come to a hold. Dutt has left the filming for Lamhaa and Luck mid way.

“We were aware that Sanjay Dutt is contesting elections from Lucknow and so he had to leave from Srinagar. As a result we have had to halt the filming for a while. The next schedule is not yet finalized. In the next two days Bunty Walia will be speaking with Sanjay Dutt and getting his dates for Lamhaa,” says the film’s official spokesperson.

Not only Lamhaa, but Dutt’s films like Luck and Blue are also stuck mid way.

Sanjay’s Luck director Soham Shah says, “The filming of Luck, especially his scenes, are remaining. He is taking a keen interest both in politics and his films. Next week we are going to be in Cape Town for Luck and hopefully he will be joining us.”

Sanjay Dutt confirmed on Friday that he would be running from Lucknow for the Samajwadi Party. Dutt’s sister Priya Dutt, however, is a part of Congress and this is believed to have led to a rift within the family.

A couple of days back Priya Dutt had openly shown her disgust following Amar Singh’s announcement that her brother, actor Sanjay Dutt, would be running for the Lok Sabha elections from the Samajwadi Party, a statement from Dutt’s camp was eagerly awaited. And this was what Sanju had to say after Priya had reportedly said that she was thankful her “father wasn’t alive to see this day.”

But Dutt in return had said that he had forgiven his elder sister. “She may have said what she did in anger. But I don’t hold anything against her. I still love her,” said Dutt.

Sanjay Dutt confirms his entry into politics

Unmindful of objections from his family members, Bollywood actor Sanjay Dutt on Friday night announced he would contest the next parliamentary elections on a Samajwadi Party ticket. He also said there was no dispute in his family over the issue.

Addressing a press conference in Mumbai, the actor said he was the eldest member of the Dutt family and so there was no need to discuss his political plans with anybody.

If there were legal hurdles to his plans, then the next step would be decided accordingly, he said in the presence of Samajwadi Party general secretary Amar Singh.

Dutt was addressing a hurriedly convened press conference at his residence to clarify the situation in the wake of an outburst by his younger sister, Mumbai North-West MP Priya Dutt, objecting to his candidature as a Samajwadi Party candidate.

However, Dutt said that if required, he would readily campaign for her in Mumbai. "There is no dispute in the family of any kind over this issue," Dutt asserted.

Asked why she had criticised his decision to enter politics, Dutt magnanimously said: "If she has said so, I forgive her. We children always used to commit mistakes and my father (the late) Sunil Dutt always used to forgive us."

To a query that Priya had questioned his wife's credentials as the family's daughter-in-law, Sanjay emphatically said that Manyata is his wife, "she is the only Mrs. Dutt" and she is the daughter-in-law of his parents, the late Sunil and Nargis Dutt.

Dutt also said that the courts had removed charges against him under the Terrorist & Disruptive Activities (TADA) Act and he had only been charged under the Arms Act - "Whenever you write anything about me, please keep this in mind," Dutt appealed to the media.

Amar Singh called for unity of all secular forces and said that the Congress and the Samajwadi Party were together in this mission. He said he held Congress president Sonia Gandhi, her family members and the Congress party in highest esteem.

Last week, the Samajwadi Party's move to offer Sanjay Dutt the party ticket from the prestigious Lucknow Lok Sabha constituency ignited a political and family controversy.

The Mumbai unit of the Congress has softened its aggressive approach over Dutt's plans to join politics. City party chief Kripa Shankar Singh on Friday morning expressed his party's preparedness to offer Dutt a nomination if he was willing to fight as a Congress candidate.

On its part, the Samajwadi Party was also toying with the idea of pitting its Maharashtra unit chief, Abu Asim Azmi, against Priya Dutt.

Considered a strategic move, Azmi's candidature could effectively eat into the substantial north-Indian and Muslim electorate that makes up the constituency, prevent Dutt from campaigning for his sister and also prevent his family members from building pressure on him to quit the Samajwadi Party.
Meanwhile, senior Congress leader Digvijay Singh on Friday said Sanjay Dutt should not have been booked under a tough terror law and "he is not a terrorist."
Dutt was convicted under the Terrorist and Disruptive Activities Act (TADA) for possessing an AK 47 rifle after the 1993 Mumbai blasts. His appeal against his conviction is pending in the Supreme Court.

Digvijay Singh told reporters: "My personal view is that Sanjay should not have been tried under the TADA. He is not a terrorist."

He said Sanjay's decision to join politics and the Samajwadi Party was his own and the Congress would not react to it.

"However, as far as Priya Dutt's statement that she should have got a Congress ticket for him is concerned, I would say that it should have been at Sanjay's initiation and interest if he wanted to join us," he said.

Priya had expressed her disappointment over the actor joining the Samajwadi Party since their family is loyal to the Congress. She had added, however, that it was the actor's personal decision and there was no family feud over it.

When asked about this, Singh said: "It is their personal matter. But for us, the Dutt family is very respectable and Sunil Dutt (Sanjay's father) was not only a Congress leader but also a very respected social worker".

However, Sanjay Dutt, who is expected to reach Lucknow next week to begin his campaign for the Lok Sabha elections as a Samajwadi Party candidate, will be greeted by hoardings that rake up his past and the criminal case against him.
Put up at over a dozen prominent places by a group that calls itself the Anti Terrorist Forum of Lucknow (ATFL), the hoardings read "Lucknow is our heaven, we do not want AK forty seven".

The hoardings also carry a big picture of the AK-47 rifle, mentioning that the terrorists who attacked Mumbai used it.

Dutt was convicted for illegal possession of an AK-47 rifle after the 1993 serial blasts in Mumbai. His appeal against the verdict is pending in the Supreme Court.

Last week, Samajwadi Party General Secretary Amar Singh had announced that Dutt would be the party's candidate for the Lok Sabha elections from Lucknow and if the star was not allowed to contest the polls because of the ongoing criminal case against him, his wife Manyata would become the candidate.

"We are strictly against any candidate from any party who has a criminal background and our protest is not only against Sanjay Dutt," said one of the founder members of ATFL, not willing to be named.

The member, a postgraduate student of Lucknow University, denied that his group had any association with any political party.

However, the Samajwadi Party strongly feels the hoardings have been put up at the behest of the state's ruling Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP).

"All the hoardings have been put up at prime locations, which earlier used to flaunt the chief minister's hoardings. This has been done to malign the image of our candidate. No one in the city could dare to put a hoarding in place of that of the chief minister if he didn't have permission from the ruling party," Shivpal Singh Yadav, the Samajwadi Party's acting state president, told IANS.

No one from the BSP was available for comment on the issue.

Dutt is not the first Bollywood personality to attempt a foray into politics from here. Muzaffar Ali twice contested from Lucknow on the Samajwadi Party ticket but he never won. Raj Babbar also tried his luck once from Lucknow but in vain. He later won the Agra seat on the Samajwadi Party ticket before quitting the party.

However, political analysts see a bright chance for Dutt if he contests.

"Sanjay has a good chance in Lucknow. With the Samajwadi Party naming him as its candidate, Lucknow will witness a star contesting the election for the fourth time," said Ramesh Dixit, who teaches political science at Lucknow University.

"On earlier occasions, no film star was successful in winning from this constituency. However, Sanjay has a very good chance of winning because he has some links with the city. After the partition of the country, his father Sunil Dutt came here with his family and lived in old Lucknow for a few years," added Dixit.
Contrary to what the political analysts say, prominent astrologers and tarot card readers have warned that politics does not bode well as a career for the Bollywood actor.
"His Jupiter is not strong and I do not see him getting into power and if he, by any chance, manages to win, it will bring him a bad reputation. Otherwise things are very good for him. He is an entertainer and should stick to only that," astrologer Ajay Bhambi told IANS.

"He is a blue-eyed boy of the industry because in spite of doing so many wrong things in life, he is still loved by everyone. He is the hero of the common man as he has come out victorious from the hardships that he has faced all through his life.

"But dabbling in politics will do no good to his image," Bhambi said.

The astrologer was referring to Dutt's chequered personal life which has seen him battle drug addiction and being convicted for arms possession in the 1993 Mumbai blasts.

Tarot card reader Poonam Sethi says that she does not see Dutt being directly involved in politics. "My cards say he will not get involved in politics directly, his wife might take the plunge but I do not see him getting active in politics," Sethi said.

"In case he manages to get into it, it will not last for a long time; it will just be an unsuccessful stint in politics," she added.

Seema Midha, another tarot card expert and numerologist, agreed and said Dutt's political career did not seem bright. In fact his wife Manyata seems to have brighter chances than him, she said.

"He is doing so many things right now and it will be very difficult for him to balance everything; hence his political career looks very doubtful and I do not think his move in politics is a good one," Midha told IANS.

However, she added, while this year would be "a bit difficult for him, this move could reap him benefits in the coming year," she added.

Astrologer Bejan Daruwalla refused to comment on his chances in politics but said his career would pick up from April.

"He is a Leo and is full of talent and energy. As an actor he has proved his mettle. All I can see and make out from his horoscope is that from the month of April, his career will pick up and he will be a happy man," Daruwalla told IANS over phone from Mumbai.

"Politics is a part of life. As I have said he will be a happy and successful man, and that means in all his future endeavours, he will get success."

Sanjay Dutt to contest LS elections from Lucknow

Actor Sanjay Dutt is all set to contest elections as a candidate from the Samajwadi Party. General Secrertary Amar Singh confirmed to the media that the actor will be the party’s contestant from Lucknow. Amar Singh disclosed 27 names who would fight on party's behalf in the upcoming LS polls.

However the actor’s ability to stand for elections is yet to be finalized. His contesting of election is subject to permission from the court. Incase he does not gets the permission from the court, he would appear as star campaigner for the party

If allowed to contest elections, Sanjay will be the third candidate from this family to join politics. His father, Sunil Dutt, joined the Congress party in 1984 and was elected to Parliament for five terms from the constituency of Mumbai North West.

After Sunil Dutt’s death, his daughter Priya joined full time politics. She was often spotted accompanying her father during his campaign rallies and so she was almost the natural choice. She was elected as a Lok Sabha MP on 22nd November 2005 and like her father is a part of the Indian National Congress.

A sneak peek at Daboo Ratnani's 2009 calendar

Any New Year, alongwith it, not just brings new hopes and new aspirations, it also brings with it, hordes of calendars, courtesy, the twinkling residents of Bollywood and their shutterbugs. Not all the calendars are worth a mention, but then, there are some really exceptional ones that are worth its wait and weight in gold.

One such calendar of 2009 is that of the 'Edward Shutter Hands' Dabboo Ratnani. It features the brightest Bollywood stars like Akshay Kumar, Kangna Ranaut, Sushmita Sen, Abhishek Bachchan, Hrithik Roshan, Saif Ali Khan, Kareena Kapoor, Sanjay Dutt, Kajol, Riteish Deshmukh and Deepika Padukone.

One look at Kajol who's atop a Mumbai taxi in a flaming red dress seems like giving an open challenge to fire. Some Mind blowing stuff this!

Same goes for the oooh-so-haute looking Deepika Padukone, who seems to be all set to slain someone with her (designer) sword.

Riteish, who has been carrying the missing tag in Bollywood, looks awesomely striking with his Beatles-inspired sixties' black and white look. Must admit, after this snap-shot, even the non-Riteish fans will turn into his devotees!

We are at a staggering loss of words when it comes to describe the snap that has got the deadly Sanjay Dutt, who is on his dream possession, the gleaming red Ferrari with some killer minced look while at the wheels. If this isn't deadly enough, then nothing else in the world is!

Let us also add that this is just a teaser to whet your appetite for more, as Bollywood Buzz will soon be unveiling Daboo Ratnani's 2009 calendar exclusively for you. Don't miss that!

Munna Bhai Chale America - First Look

Sanjay Dutt Launches Luxury Audi Model

Audi launched their brand new model the Audi R8 in New Delhi on Friday November 8th. it was a star-studded affair! Bollywood bad boy, Sanjay Dutt who has a passion for the luxury car drove up in it unveiling it to the audience. He wasn't the only star in attendance, Bollywood's resident 'yummy mummy', Malaika Arora Khan and singer Sophie Chaudhary were also there to witness the unveiling. The sports car is priced at 1.17 crore rupees, which is over $200,000 USD! Looks like owning a piece of this luxury comes with a hefty price tag!

Pictures of Sanjay Dutt and wifey Manyata holidaying in Bangkok

Ooops...they did it again...we are referring to people who have their eyes set celebrities all the time. That it makes an interesting read is another thing altogether. Sanjay Dutt and his dearest wifey Manyata Dutt is the latest celebrity couple whose pictures are being circulated on the internet.

The adjoining snaps show Sanju baba and Manyata beating away their 'blues'. The snaps were taken when Manyata had gone to visit Sanjay on in Bangkok, where he was shooting for his upcoming flick Blue. Rumors have it that Sanjay Dutt had hired a boat for a whopping amount and needless to say, the couple really had a whale of a time! When Manyata was asked about these snaps, she did not deny that the snaps were taken in Bangkok. She also added that she is aware that these snaps are being circulated on the internet under the title of 'Honeymoon Snaps'.

Sometimes we wonder about the price the celebrities have to pay for being famous! Maybe, that's why some philosopher had rightly described the term 'celebrity' as someone who slogs his life initially to become famous, and when he does, he wears goggles in order to avoid being recognized! What say, Sanju baba!

Get well soon, sir!

Sanjay Dutt, who is in London, was shocked to hear about Amitabh Bachchan’s hospitalisation, he has been calling up Abhishek Bachchan every hour to check on his father’s health.

Dutt, who is currently in London, also called up his friends Bunty Walia and Dharam Oberoi to check if all was well and offered to fly back to Mumbai immediately. Dutt is waiting for Manyata to join him in London where the couple plans to travel to New Zealand to scout for locations for their home-production, to be directed by Soham Shah.

When contacted, Dharam Oberoi (CEO, Sanjay Dutt Productions) confirmed Sanjay’s frequent calls to Abhishek. “Yes, Baba has been calling up Abhishek every hour. Baba and Bachchan saab go back a long way. He is in awe of Bachchan saab and Bachchan saab too loves him very much.”

Oberoi added, “Baba has also been calling up Bunty. Walia met Bachchan saab in the hospital and he conveyed Sanju’s concern and best wishes to him.”

Meanwhile, Sanjay has zeroed down on Amitabh to play a pivotal role in Soham’s venture. He had even called up AB’s secretary, Rosie and sought an appointment with Bachchan, but the latter was out on The Unforgettable tour. Oberoi confirmed, “That’s right. Baba wants Bachchan saab in the film. It’s a film on sports, titled India. It will go on the floors next year.”

Amitabh was admitted to Lilavati hospital on Saturday morning (on his 66th birthday) when he complained of acute abdominal pain.

Sanjay Dutt's liplock was cut from Kidnap

Buzz from the select few who had a preview of Sanjay Gadhvi's Kidnap was about Sanjay Dutt's smooch with Vidya Malvade. The rather longish liplock took viewers by surprise. Dutt hasn't indulged in a liplock on-screen for quite some time now.

When the film hit the marquee on October 2, Dutt's chumma went gayab from the film. This was baffling as Gadhvi had made Minissha Lamba indulge in a skinfest on screen, so why chop the bit when Dutt puckers up with Malvade? And that too when they play a couple, an estranged one though, whose daughter's kidnapping brings them together.

Says Gadhvi, "The scene was cut on the eve of the film's release. It was a three-minute scene. After several previews, the reaction was that the scene was not with the flow and slowed down the pace. All those who saw it were of the opinion that it should be cut. Even though it was a scene very dear to me, I chopped it. The reaction of the viewers mattered to me more. But it will be retained in the DVDs."

It is learnt that in various trials the response was that in India, elderly couples are not associated with liplocks. Secondly, as the Kidnap couple is estranged and has met after a long time, they wouldn't be so passionate.

And moreover, a tense couple would not indulge in lovemaking when their daughter has been kidnapped!
There was also speculation that Dutt's wife Maanayata had issues about the scene.

Says Maanayata, "I had nothing to with the removal of the kissing scene. I don't interfere with Sanju's work. Also, if I had to object, I would have done it when they shot for it."

Indore Barometer: Monday witnesses 70% - 80% fall

Monday is one crucial day for movies. Will the collections remain steady? Or will the business sink? The answers are crystal clear on Monday. The two major releases, KIDNAP and DRONA, sank on Monday completely. The business fell by almost 70% - 80% on Monday, which says it all. Let's check out the Thursday, Friday, Saturday, Sunday and Monday [highlighted in bold] figures at Indore, one of the key barometers of the industry:-

Inox
Kidnap: 99,100; 30,500; 28,000; 51,100; 11,800.
Drona: 73,300; 21,800; 19,400; 48,000; 6,700.

PVR
Kidnap: 1,52,600; 71,000; 67,500; 1,05,500; 26,400.
Drona: 1,38,400; 33,000; 63,500; 59,000; 18,300.

Velocity
Kidnap: 85,600; 28,800; 31,500; 41,000; 11,000.
Drona: 62,600; 16,000; 15,200; 23,500; 6,200.

Adlabs
Kidnap: 1,34,300; 41,000; 47,500; 68,200; 17,300.
Drona: 1,00,000; 26,000; 25,200; 44,700; 9,300.

By: Taran Adarsh

B.O. update: 'Kidnap' & 'Drona' - good & bad news

There's good news and bad news! First, the good news…

Both KIDNAP and DRONA, the two major releases of the week, benefitted due to October 2 holiday [Gandhi Jayanti and Eid]. The collections of KIDNAP were strong across all multiplexes on Thursday, but not as strong at mini-metros and smaller towns. The first day [Thursday] all-India nett, according to Studio 18, is approx. Rs. 5 crores. However, the business had a 25% decline on Friday due to it being a working day, although the collections should've been strong due to the Eid festivities.

DRONA, on the other hand, was leading in U.P., where it opened to an excellent response. The film was running to packed houses at several key stations here. At other places, the opening ranged from good to average to ordinary. A decline was noticed on Friday.

Now the bad news…

Both KIDNAP and DRONA are enjoying negative reports and the high occupancy could be due to the holiday period. While the opinion on KIDNAP ranges from below average to bad, DRONA is carrying negative reports. It remains to be seen how the two films fare on Saturday and Sunday, but given the fact that the reports are far from positive, a fall [at several places] is expected on Saturday and more from Monday onwards.

In Overseas, DRONA collected 4,00,000 Dirhams in the Middle East on its opening day [source: Eros]… KIDNAP also collected 4,00,000 Dirhams on Wednesday and 3,50,000 Dirhams on Thursday [source: Studio 18]… KIDNAP collected £ 65,000 on Thursday and £ 44,000 on Friday in U.K… KIDNAP also opened in Pakistan on Eid [on Wednesday]. The Pakistan distributor has informed this writer that the collections are bigger than SINGH IS KINNG.

Now the economics…

Both KIDNAP and DRONA carry the burden of a heavy price tag. Industry talk is that Ashtavinayak has sold KIDNAP for Rs. 36 crores to Indian Films. Add to it another Rs. 4 crores for prints and promotions [TV promotions were done separately by Ashtavinayak], which means that the costing is around Rs. 40 crores. Since Studio 18 hasn't sold the film and are distributing it across the country, it would be interesting to see what the outcome is after Week 1.

On the other hand, DRONA is an expensive film [industry pegs it at Rs. 45 cores to Rs. 50 crores] and add to it prints + promotion expenses. Eros too is distributing the film. Let's await the outcome!

Kidnap - Movie Review

When you carry the baggage of super-successful films like DHOOM and DHOOM 2, the expectations from your subsequent outing is bound to be gargantuan. Unfortunately, KIDNAP falls short of expectations. You expect a seven course meal, but you're served mere crumbs.

Let's introspect. Where does it falter? The boy versus man concept holds tremendous scope and writer Shibani Bathija could've come up with an enthralling revenge drama. But KIDNAP fumbles, stumbles and falls on its face. The cat-n-mouse game is hardly enticing and that is its biggest drawback.

KIDNAP comes close to ZINDA in terms of plotline. There're similarities between the two films. But KIDNAP isn't as dark and gruesome as ZINDA. Also, KIDNAP loses focus after a promising start.

The hallmark of any revenge fare is the suspense quotient. In this case, there's a motive behind what Imran does. And money is definitely not the motive here. So far, so good. But the purpose of kidnapping the billionaire's only daughter as also the chain of events that lead to the culmination is such a put-off. Things keep deteriorating as they reach the finale.

The culprit? Obviously, the writer of this lifeless, unexciting and tedious drama. Shibani seems to think that the audience is pea-brained.

Silver lining or just dark clouds? Imran Khan's splendid act acts as a soothing balm, but if the pudding is tasteless, no amount of dressing can salvage the situation, right?

When Dr. Mallika [Vidya Malvade] asks her daughter Sonia [Minissha Lamba] what she wants for her 18th birthday, Sonia tells her she wants to meet her dad, Vikrant Raina [Sanjay Dutt]. The mother and father of this kid have separated, we're explained at the very outset. After a spat between the mother and daughter, Sonia walks off in a huff and doesn't return.

Mallika panics when she gets a call from a stranger that he has kidnapped Sonia. The kidnapper, Kabir [Imran Khan], has only one demand -- he will negotiate with nobody but Sonia's father, Vikrant.

Reluctantly Mallika brings Vikrant back into their lives to save Sonia. But Vikrant chokes at the thought of taking orders from a criminal. But Kabir holds the trump card -- he holds Sonia -- and Vikrant knows he has no option but to toe the line.

Kabir tells him they are going to play a game -- just the two of them. Vikrant has to play by the rules set by Kabir and he has to play alone. He has to play to save his daughter. If he even utters the words 'Hello Police', it will be Bye Bye for Sonia!

Because his daughter's life is at stake, a reluctant Vikrant agrees to obey Kabir's orders…

Never judge a book by its cover. This adage suits KIDNAP to the T. One look at its promos and you know what the story is, but the screenplay is so amateurish, even lifeless at times, that you scream, no, no, no, no, no!

Gadhvi and Shibani open the cards at the very outset. The sketches at the very beginning as also Minissha's kidnap within 10 minutes of the start compels you to think that the follow up should be equally exhilarating. But things start going wrong from this part onwards.

Imran's clues for Sanju, the first in a train and later at an engagement ceremony, make no sense. Later, Sanju and Vidya Malvade's entry in the jail is bizarre. This part takes you back to the cinema of 1970s and 1980s, when nonsense dominated. Later, when Sanju refuses to take Imran's call, Imran lands up at his house. Which kidnapper, in his right senses, would ever do that? Even the flashback -- Imran's childhood portions -- are just not impactful. Ditto for the climax. The shootout at the New Year party is ridiculous. Seriously, the writing is pathetic!

Sanjay Gadhvi is letdown by a script that easily ranks amongst the worst of 2008. Pritam's music is another sore point. Barring the 'Mit Jaaye' track, the remaining songs are lacklustre. Bobby Singh's camerawork is first-rate.

KIDNAP belongs to Imran Khan. Watch this youngster take giant strides and you know that he has arrived. He carries the cold look effortlessly. Sanjay Dutt looks disinterested, as if he is about to break into a yawn. Minissha Lamba is miscast. She doesn't look like a 17-year-old in the first place. Also, the generous dose of skin show doesn't gel with someone who's held captive. Vidya Malvade is efficient. Reema Lagoo is a mere prop. Rahul Dev's character looks forced.

On the whole, KIDNAP fails to grip you and that is its biggest flaw. At the box-office, KIDNAP being teen sensation Imran Khan's immediate release after the blockbuster hit JAANE TU… YA JAANE NA would ensure a strong opening weekend, but the poor merits are sure to take a toll once the initial euphoria subsides. Disappointing!

'Kidnap' versus 'Drona' 2 days to go

Now here's one week everyone's looking forward to. After a string of low-cost and medium-budget fares making a mark in the holy month of Ramzan, let's get ready to embrace the biggies, starting from this week onwards. All eyes are on KIDNAP and DRONA. For various reasons…

KIDNAP is crucial for director Sanjay Gadhvi as also Imran Khan. Gadhvi makes his first film outside Yash Raj and naturally, people are expecting the moon from Gadhvi's new outing. Will KIDNAP be as successful as DHOOM and DHOOM 2? KIDNAP is also an acid test for Imran Khan, who has been cast in a role that's in sharp contrast to the one in JAANE TU… YA JAANE NA. Will it work? Will Imran stand up to a giant like Sanjay Dutt, who has decades of experience behind him?

Similarly, DRONA is crucial for Abhishek Bachchan and Goldie Behl. Abhishek has had a string of flops after GURU. JHOOM BARABAR JHOOM and LAAGA CHUNARI MEIN DAAG, produced by Yash Raj, have proved supreme disasters at the box-office, while SARKAR RAJ met with average success in Mumbai-Maharashtra and South. Elsewhere, it was a flop.

Since DRONA rides on Abhishek's shoulders, it'll be interesting to see if the actor pulls in the audiences in its opening 4-day weekend. Also, Goldie Behl has to prove his abilities after he flunked the test in BAS ITNA SA KHWAB HAI. Thursday, October 2 holds the answers!

"To be honest I had not seen Dhoom when Gadhvi approached me" - Sanjay Dutt

It's nearly for three decades now that he has been in the industry and even today his stardom is as big as ever. The name is Sanjay Dutt but the world calls him 'Baba'. Baba has ruled the silver screen for years. Although he has been through highs and lows in his personal life, he came out as winner. His optimism and spirit to keep going is unbeatable. And this very spirit is what director Sanjay Gadhvi has tried to capture in his upcoming release Kidnap. Gadhvi was so sure of casting Baba for this film that he waited for almost four years to get Dutt's dates. And looking at the promos, we can surely say that Gadhvi's wait for so worth it.

Bollywood Hungama brings you excerpts from the conversation with the super suave Sanjay Dutt.

What attracted you to Kidnap?
The moment Sanjay (Gadhvi) narrated the first line of the film, I knew I had to do it. It's something I haven't done in all these years. There was a sense of identification with the character - a father who deeply and immensely cares for his daughter and will go to any extent for her safety and happiness.

What was Sanjay Gadhvi like as a director?
He's tremendous. Sanjay is very focused and he knows what he wants. He is very clear in his vision and has the knack of getting the best out his actors.

Did it help that he was the maker of the Dhoom series?
To be honest I had not seen Dhoom or Dhoom 2, except their promos when he approached me. I believed in the subject and in him and decided to do it.

Tell us more about Kidnap?
My producers, director and co-actors went through a lot of anxiety during the shoot of Kidnap because of my trial. But all's well that ends well. I am happy the film is complete, ready and looking good. It is my first release in 2008. I play a father to Sonia (Minissha Lamba) who is kidnapped by Kabir (Imran Khan). It's an edge-of-the-seat thriller, which everyone is bound to enjoy. It has some great action and emotion and has been well written and directed. I hope my audience goes out and watches it.

Was it difficult playing a father?
No, why should it be? I have played father to Hrithik Roshan earlier.

You mentioned at the press conference that Kidnap is very close to you, as you identify very closely with the character of Vikrant Raina!
I could relate to the father in the film. I love my daughter Trishala immensely and during the making of this film, I kept thinking about what I would do or how I would react if Trishala ever got kidnapped. There was a lot of real-life emotion that came into my character in the film.

Who will Kidnap appeal to?
I think the beauty of Kidnap lies in the fact that besides being an engaging thriller cum drama, it concurrently captures the softer emotions and relationships of father-daughter, husband-wife, girl-boy. It's a thriller with a heart, and on the whole, an entertaining commercial product, which will appeal to everyone. Also, it has Imran Khan who has become very popular after Jaane Tu… Ya Jaane Na.

How was it to work with the industry's hottest youngster, Imran Khan?
We got along well. He's a humble, conscientious and hardworking boy. He's into his craft. He'll go a long way and I hope and pray that success doesn't change him.

Anything else you can recount during the shoot of Kidnap?
I enjoyed the action. It had my adrenaline rushing. I felt a teenager again! (Smiles)

Which are your forthcoming films?
EMI, Aladdin, Blue and Munnabhai 3. I am starting my own production house next year and hope to make good films.

What do you cherish the most in life?
The fact that I was born to great parents and have a great set of fans, friends and well-wishers.

What do you regret the most?
The days when I was into drugs and my time in jail. But that was destiny...