Karan Johar confirms DOSTANA collections

"DOSTANA has collected 28 crores at the end of first week from India alone", comes an official statement from Karan Johar even as different figures continue to float around ever since the first week came to a close.

Though there have been speculations around 25–26 crores being the final billing for DOSTANA in India, Karan's statement should set all speculations to rest considering it comes from the head honcho himself.

"Dharma Productions as well as Yash Raj Films, which has distributed the film, are extremely happy with the way DOSTANA has worked at the box office", adds Karan Johar who now is the man behind Bollywood's first hardcore commercial film with two men playing gay characters, even though by faking it.

With YUVVRAAJ not opening to a good response and no other biggie in the sight till the arrival of RAB NE BANA DI JODI, is he fathoming chances of DOSTANA turning out to be a big money spinner?

"I have been informed that the film has done well in the second weekend as well though I am waiting for the official numbers to come in. I am not surprised though since audience is watching it the second time around as well", says Karan hours before boarding flight for New York.

With YUVVRAAJ all set to be a loser at the box office and relatively smaller movies arriving in weeks to come (there are as many as 10 of them though in the fortnight leading to RAB NE BANA DI JODI), DOSTANA is destined to earn mega bucks at the box office. Though 40 crores is now very much within the reach, it would be interesting to see if Abhishek and John manage to get a 50 crores film to their name.

Celebration time for Abhishek, John & Priyanka

Abhishek Bachchan, John Abraham and Priyanka Chopra’s friendship has proved fruitful at the box office, not just in India but overseas as well.

In UK the opening weekend collections are 330 thousand pounds. The Friday and Saturday figures in USA at $442 thousand have beaten Race ($397 thousand). In UAE the movie has registered $597 till Saturday. That happens to be the biggest opening for any Indian movie in UAE this year. In fact it has even exceeded the first week collections of Singh Is Kinng. The press abroad too has only good things to say about the movie.

B.O. update: 'Yuvvraaj' 40% - 60% start, 'Dostana' 1st wk nett 28 cr.

Subhash Ghai's ambitious fare YUVVRAAJ started well in the morning shows. The shows in parts of Madhya Pradesh, Rajasthan and NCR were almost packed, but the noon shows showed a decline as the film performed in the 40% - 60% range. The film picked up during the evening shows, but it remains to be seen where it tilts on Saturday and Sunday. YUVVRAAJ is crucial for both, Ghai and Salman Khan, who've been facing rough weather professionally.

Meanwhile, last week's DOSTANA was rock-steady on Friday, the first day of its second weekend. The trade is hopeful that the business will be strong on Saturday and Sunday as well. The first week nett [India] is approx. Rs. 28 crores [as per Dharma Productions]. Fantastic!

Multiplex junta's new dost

Let's face facts! A handful of actors [SRK, Aamir, Akshay, Hrithik] have the power to lure audiences in hordes. Their solo starrers have the magnetism to draw audiences to theatres. The remaining actors work in packages only, unless there's a fluke success.

At the cost of puncturing the ego of many a star, the fact remains that their solo starrers would [a] Find it tough to get the right distributor and the right price, [b] Find it tough to fetch lucrative terms from exhibitors, [c] Find it tough to fetch a staggering start at the box-office. But, as a package, with Karan Johar in the driver's seat in this case [DOSTANA], it has ensured [a] An attractive price from its principal distributors [Rs. 50 cr. +], [b] The best terms from exhibitors, [c] A favourable start at the ticket counters.

If the Friday figures of DOSTANA were good, the film actually showed its strength on Saturday and Sunday. This trend was witnessed not just in India, but also in the West. The U.K. and U.S. day-wise figures indicate a big jump on Saturday and Sunday. In India, the first weekend is roughly in the range of Rs. 18 - Rs. 20 cr. nett [as per industry experts and also Dharma Productions], definitely NOT Rs. 15 cr. nett, as some ill-informed sources would like us to believe.

So what does the Rs. 18 - Rs. 20 cr. nett mean? Translated into simple terms, it means DOSTANA is off to a great start, despite the Abhishek - Priyanka starrer DRONA still fresh in our minds. John's solo act in NO SMOKING hasn't been forgotten either.

Armed with a superb start, DOSTANA was expected to have a meltdown effect from Monday onwards, but the weekdays have been in the 45% to 60% range at most plexes, which is great. The youth has taken to the film in a big way, that's the writing on the wall.

Of course, DOSTANA is a non-performer at most single screens, except those patronised by elite. So what? That's not new! Hasn't that been the trend for all Karan Johar movies? Weren't KAL HO NAA HO and KABHI ALVIDA NAA KEHNA non-performers at single screens? Why, even KUCH KUCH HOTA HAI, considered a classic by many, besides being a Blockbuster, didn't work in Bihar.

That's what I like about Karan Johar. He's got the fundas right, he knows his target audience well. In any case, in today's times, 70% of our revenues are generated from plexes in India and Overseas. In India, DOSTANA is the flavour of the season. In Overseas, it's one of the biggest draws of the year [as pointed out by this writer in the review of DOSTANA last week].

If the film holds well in its second weekend - I'm sure, the numbers will be strong - DOSTANA would safely recover the high price that's attached to it.

The target audience of DASVIDANIYA was the same as DOSTANA - multiplex junta - and I strongly feel that DASVIDANIYA got sidelined for this reason. With the youth/multplex crowd tilting towards DOSTANA, DASVIDANIYA, expectedly, had a lukewarm start at the box-office [10%; at places, 5% to 7%]. But the film gathered steam on Saturday and Sunday as the word of mouth has been extremely positive for this Vinay Pathak starrer. Favourable reviews in the media have also helped. Of course, the numbers haven't shown a big jump, but there has been an escalation for sure.

DASVIDANIYA enjoys good reports and I hope the plexes continue to play the film in its second weekend, so that it gets a chance to grow. Films like DASVIDANIYA need to be nurtured, it's a worthy case!

DESHDROHI, the much-in-news film, found ample patronage at the single screens of U.P. and Bihar.

Abhishek wins accolades for DOSTANA

Heaving a sigh of relief – That must exactly be the state of Abhishek Bachchan, what with his DOSTANA opening to a good response all over. The percentage occupancy at theaters may not be exceptional (it is in 70%–80% range) considering the film has opened to 12–14–16 shows at all leading multiplexes across the country, but the fact remains that collections at the end of Day 1 have been bountiful.

This brings one to an all important question – Has Abhishek Bachchan finally got a bona fide box office success to his name in 2008?

Well, the answer to this question is a definite Yes. While his SARKAR RAJ too had taken a good opening at the box office, it settled to be an average earner from box office point of view (though home video and satellite made the film a further plus in the long run). However, DOSTANA has been liked even more by the audience, especially the bunch of youngsters in the urban centers (the target audience for the film) hence ensuring that Karan Johar, Yash Raj Films (the distributors), Tarun Mansukhani (the director), composers Vishal and Shekhar and the cast of the film including Abhishek Bachchan, John Abraham and Priyanka Chopra have all the right reasons to kick start celebrations.

What has also been the unanimous reactions amongst the audience and media folks is Abhishek being the scene stealer of the show. Of course John's presence elevates the film to a different altogether, what with his stunning physique resulting in all the 'oohs' and 'aahs' and sometimes even outrageous roars from the female crowds in the auditorium but Abhishek's mischievous act makes DOSTANA a fun show all the way.

Watch out for his 'Once Upon A Time' in Venice act or 'Beedi Jalaile' jig with Boman Irani or his shock at Kirron Kher finally accepting John as her 'bahu' or the comical outburst of 'You keep Bobby, I don't need him' sequence with Priyanka – these are some of the gems that make Abhishek's performance come out as one of his best ever acts ever.

With a success under his belt, Abhishek can finally breathe easy post the debacle of DRONA. Also, it makes his DILLI 6 interesting all over again, hence promising a fresh start in year 2009!

B.O. update: 'Dostana' takes a head-start at plexes

Karan Johar's eagerly awaited DOSTANA opened to a heartening response at multiplexes across the country. The youth brigade turned up in full force for a Hindi film, after a gap. A similar trend was noticed during JAANE TU... YA JAANE NA, BACHNA AE HASEENO and ROCK ON!!. While the opening was 80% + at plexes, with night shows running to packed capacity, the response at single screens was dull at several places. The business was in the 40% - 60% range, at places even lower. However, at some single screens patronised by classes, it was at par with the multiplex business. That has been the trend with Karan's previous films like KAL HO NAA HO and KABHI ALVIDA NAA KEHNA as well. The revenue should be strong from multiplexes mainly.

DASVIDANIYA, starring Vinay Pathak, which also happens to be the actor's first film as a producer, had a dull start, but the reports are encouraging… DESHDROHI had a strong start in the Hindi belt.

Press conference of Dostana

"Dostana is Tarun's baby all the way" - Priyanka Chopra

Priyanka Chopra admits that she hasn't rested for more than a year now. 2008 especially has been crazy with five releases already to her name and sixth round the corner in the form of Dostana. However, she doesn't mind all the excitement coming her way as she hardly has got time to mourn over the failure of her movies or revel in the success of Fashion. Joginder Tuteja catches up with Priyanka Chopra hours before her Dostana gets ready to hit the screens.

Love Story 2050, God Tussi Great Ho, Chamku, Drona, Fashion and now Dostana - Whew!
[Laughs] Ya, these are indeed exciting times. I could use so many adjectives to describe what I feel but well, in the end it's all so scary. There are so many expectations that one attaches to a project. It is like sitting in Board examinations month after month.

Dostana still sounds like a safe film after all. Promos give an impression that it is an out and out fun film.
There are a little bit of emotions attached to the film as well. At the end of the day it is mainstream cinema and it has to be interesting. Dostana is not a random candy floss entertainer. Since the film has been made for commercial audience, it has to tell an engaging story. Here things turn really different. That's because when I interact with the characters played by Abhi and John, it gives a different dimension to a man-woman relationship. It's really fun because I am there with these two guys who are supposed to be in a romcom relationship of their own!

A film with two men in a romcom affair? And you were still game for it?
I was sold the moment Tarun (Mansukhani) narrated the film to me. I didn't have any apprehensions because Tarun was so clear in admitting this very basic fact to the world on screen. He wanted to bring things out of closed doors and make the world know that this too is a part of society around us.

But wasn't there any apprehension about non-acceptance of the film? What if it doesn't turn out to be a hit? Also, Tarun is a first time director.
You can't pick a film thinking whether it would be a hit or not. How can you even do some calculations? Yes, you do assess the commercial viability of the subject but beyond that you have to leave it to the conviction of the director. And let me tell you that I wasn't even thinking about Tarun being a debutant director here. I have worked with quite a few since I made my debut and while some of them have made fantastic films, some haven't. But that can't deter me from saying no to someone just because he/she hasn't been entrusted with this responsibility before. Come on, someone gave me a first chance too!

Karan's association with the project would have reassuring enough though?
Having Karan around is great but Dostana is Tarun's baby all the way. It is written and directed by him and knows the subject inside out while Karan hardly came on the film's sets. Moreover, I myself come with so many questions while working on a film and sometimes it can become really testing times for the directors. Still, Tarun braved all of it and answered all my questions. That shows his understanding, commitment and conviction.

You earlier mentioned that Dostana has some emotional moments as well. The KJo effect?
I won't say that the film has trademark Karan Johar stamp of emotional moments in Dostana. But then yes, there are moments where you get a lump in your throat. There is some softness in heart that comes on and just like there are some ups and downs in every feel good entertainer, the same is the case with Dostana too.

Softer songs like 'Kuch Kum' and 'Khabar Nahi' do promise that, isn't it?
Yeah. In the narrative they really do well. I know that songs like 'Desi Girl', 'Maa Da Laadla' and 'Shut Up and Bounce' are a rage today but I know for sure that once the films release, others too would pick up well amongst the audience.

Coming to your much talked about look; there are talks about the hard work you put in shaping your body for Dostana.
[Smiles] It's great that after Fashion, my look is being noticed in Dostana as well. However, I know for myself that hard work was there in Drona or Love Story 2050 or for that matter even Don. It's just that currently we are talking only about Dostana or Fashion.

But your weight loss is quite apparent in Dostana?
It's my luck that I was working on both Fashion and Dostana together. For the early part of Fashion, I had to put some weight to depict the chubby look of a Chandigarh girl. Then for the Mumbai shoot of Fashion which showed my journey to the top as a supermodel, I had to loose weight. The look I acquired for Fashion also helped Dostana because I was training hard and was fast acquiring a well toned physique.

Last but not the least, one can't help but ask this question. How does Bobby Deol's character bring the twist in the plot of Dostana. And please don't say - 'Watch the film'!
[Giggles] Watch the film!

Jaya loved Abhishek's gay turn

Karan Johar had a screening for the cast and crew of Tarun Mansukhani's Dostana at Yash Raj Studios on Tuesday night. The Bachchan family turned up in full force Amitabh, Jaya, Aishwarya, and Abhishek himself.

Also present were Bobby and Tania Deol, make-up guru, Mickey Contractor, Farah Khan and designers Aki Narula and Manish Malhotra. Though Ritiesh Deshmukh is not a part of the film he was invited as Karan's guest.
Abhishek Bachchan says, "Yes I saw Dostana on Tuesday night and loved it. My family loved it as well."

Even thought the film has her son playing a gay character, mom Jaya Bachchan apparently thoroughly enjoyed watching Dostana. Abhishek confirms, "Mom loved it! Her reaction was one thing we were all panicky about as mom doesn't like very many films and she's very straightforward about her reactions. Mom, dad and Aishwarya were laughing throughout they all adored the film!"

KJo held another trial last night for close friends like Shah Rukh and his other friends from the fraternity.

Jaya, SRK, Saif, Kareena, Deepika, Rani, Imran watch 'Dostana'

Exactly two screenings of Karan Johar's keenly anticipated DOSTANA have been held so far. The first screening, held on Tuesday night at Yash Raj, was attended by the cast and crew of the film, besides the Chopras, who are close family friends of the Johars, besides being the global distributors of DOSTANA.

The second screening, held last night [Wednesday] at Yash Raj, was a truly hi-profile affair, what with Karan's closest friends being invited for the screening. Jaya Bachchan, SRK and wife Gauri with their kids, Saif and Kareena, Karisma Kapoor, Rani and her parents, Deepika Padukone, Susanne Roshan, Arjun Rampal with wife Mehr, Imran Khan and girlfriend Avantika, Kunal Kapoor, Kunal Kohli, Ritesh Sidhwani, Anil Thadani, Sajid Khan, Siddharth Raj Anand, Jugal Hansraj, Kangna Ranaut, Amrita Rao, Sanjay Kapoor and wife Maheep, Sonam Kapoor, Neelam, Chunkey Pandey and wife Bhavana, Koel Purie, Mushtaq Sheikh, Manish Malhotra, music composers Vishal and Shekhar, writer Shibani Bhatija were amongst those present at this exclusive screening.

The auditorium was resonating with laughter and claps all through the screening.

Priyanka Chopra walked to meet the guests after the screening got over. Karan and director Tarun Mansukhani were wonderful hosts, attending to every guest personally.

Dostana - Movie Review

Recall the 'Kantaben' episode in Karan Johar's KAL HO NAA HO. The episode is alive even today, in skits, on stage, amongst friends. That was a mere trailer. Picture abhi baaki hain. DOSTANA takes 'Kantaben' episode to another level altogether.

DOSTANA is no BROKEBACK MOUNTAIN. It's not a serious take on homosexuality either. On the contrary, it's a madcap comedy where two straight men pretend to be gays. Although DOSTANA is a mainstream commercial film, it dares to push the envelope in its own way. It brings homosexuality out of the closet, gives it respect and dignity and doesn't treat gays as 'abnormal'.

Love triangle in Hindi movies often centre around two guys falling in love with the same girl, or two girls choosing to love the same guy. But DOSTANA is a first. It's the first Hindi film that, at the core, is a rectangle [three men loving the same woman], but two of them, guys in this case, pretend to be a couple.

Sure, DOSTANA has ample shock-value since what has been witnessed in its promos is barely a fraction of what you'd get to watch in the movie. But more than shock-value, the film offers loads of fun-n-laughter and dollops of entertainment in those 14 reels.

A word of appreciation! It requires courage to fund a project like DOSTANA. Karan Johar, the producer, deserves to be lauded for treading the untrodden path. It requires courage and conviction to swim against the tide in your directorial debut. Tarun Mansukhani, the debutante, deserves a few brownie points extra for not thinking straight. It requires courage for two A-list actors to go all out and risk their professional [and personal] lives. Abhishek and John deserve an ovation for not only agreeing to play these characters, but also infusing life in them, without making a mockery of the gay community.

To cut a long story short, DOSTANA is not to be missed. Dharma Productions, the late Yash Johar and Karan Johar's film production outfit, has produced several significant films in the past. Add DOSTANA to the list!

Miami is the setting for DOSTANA. When Sameer [Abhishek Bachchan] and Kunal [John Abraham] are turned down for an apartment because the landlady [Sushmita Mukherjee] doesn't want two strapping young men to corrupt her young sexy niece Neha [Priyanka Chopra], they hatch a plan: they pretend to be gay to secure the apartment.

Over a period of time, Sameer, Kunal and Neha become buddies. When Neha's boss Abhimanyu [Bobby Deol] enters the fray as the third contender for her affections, it gets even hotter…

DOSTANA shocks you all the while and that is its biggest USP. Don't expect stereotypical situations or characters all through this film. Watch Abhishek cook up a romantic story between John and him in Venice. Watch Boman Irani's interaction with Abhishek and John. Watch Kirron Kher's dramatic entry at this point. Howlarious scenes all, they're sure to bring the house down.

If the first hour is laced with crackling chemistry between the guys and terrific humour, things get serious towards the second half since there's one more person vying for Priyanka's attention -- Bobby Deol. There's humour in this hour too, but the focus is mainly on who'd get Priyanka in the end.

The length is a slight deterrent in the second half and the editor could've easily cut the unwanted flab to make the narration in shape. But the film works as a package! Also, the film has a shocking end and people are bound to raise eyebrows. It would have its share of advocates and adversaries. A debatable culmination, for sure!

Director Tarun Mansukhani is here to stay. He deserves kudos for choosing an offbeat story, then making a foolproof screenplay and most importantly, executing it with flourish. DOSTANA merges form and content beautifully, since the film is, technically speaking, sound. Ayananka Bose's cinematography is top notch. The locales of Miami are a feast for your eyes. Costumes and styling are very upmarket.

Vishal-Shekhar's music goes well with the mood of the film. It's young, peppy and energetic. 'Desi Girl' and 'Maa Da Laadla Bigad Gaya' are foot-tapping compositions. The latter is bound to be a rage!

Both Abhishek and John are fantabulous! Abhishek pulls out all the stops and delivers one of the finest performances of his career. His comic timing is superb! John will make guys and girls drool over his amazing physique. But, most importantly, people will sit up and notice how fine an actor John is. Both Abhishek and John compliment each other so well. In fact, had the chemistry and camaraderie been missing, the story would've failed to look convincing. Two thumbs up for these two guys!

Priyanka looks stunning and delivers a first-rate performance. First FASHION, now DOSTANA, Priyanka is back with a bang. Bobby Deol lends the required class to his role. No other actor would've looked so real while underplaying this character.

Boman Irani is sure to bring the house down, the auditorium is sure to resonate with laughter in his sequences. Kirron Kher is superb as the Punjabi mom. Watch her throw a fit when she learns that her son [Abhishek] is gay and much later, when she accepts John as family. She's remarkable! Sushmita Mukherjee, as Priyanka's aunt, is fantastic. She's so, so funny. Shilpa Shetty sizzles in the opening track.

On the whole, DOSTANA is a winner all the way. In terms of content, it might just prove to be a trendsetter. In terms of business, the film holds tremendous appeal for the youth. The 16 to 25 age-group would go into raptures and bonkers over this film. Its business at multiplexes mainly will be amazing. In Overseas too, the film should emerge amongst the biggest draws of 2008. DOSTANA rocks... have a blast!

Dharma Productions compensates PNC for a song used in Dostana

Just 3 days before the release of Dostana, its makers Dharma Productions received a little bit of a scare when PNC (Pritish Nandy Communications) filed a case against them for using one of their songs 'Kuch Kum' in Dostana.

Apparently, the story goes that, the song 'Kuch Kum' was originally composed by Vishal-Shekhar for a film which was to be directed by Tarun Mansukhani for the PNC banner. However, the film never took off and Tarun went on to direct Dharma Productions' Dostana.

When Pritish Nandy heard the song featured in Dostana, he was quite livid and raised an objection with the makers - Dharma Productions. However, rather than getting into unnecessary legal tangles, the parties decided to resolve the issue mutually in an out of the court settlement. Eventually, Dharma Productions compensated PNC by paying them Rs.3 crores for just that one song.

While Pritish Nandy must be a relieved man having got his due, the people at Dharma Productions must be surely pondering over this (suddenly turned) expensive song.

Shilpa 'falls' for John!

Shilpa Shetty and John Abraham's Shut Up And Bounce song in Dostana is the hottest track these days. But what no-one knows is that Shilpa fell and almost bounced while shooting the song in Miami.

John had applied so much sunblock on his body that Shilpa who had to put her arms around him kept slipping and falling!

Director Tarun Mansukhani says, "We all put on lots of sun block on because it was sunny and we didn't want to tan too much. One day, John put on so much sunblock that in the shot where he's taking pictures of Shilpa on the bike, Shilpa couldn't put her arms around him. She kept slipping and falling!" John plays a photographer in Dostana.

Shilpa giggles, "John had so much oil on him and every time I put my hand on his abs I would fall! I literally fell for John! I slipped and ended on my knees every time because he was chikna and slippery. Finally, I told him to wipe off some off the oil. But I've never seen anyone looking so hot as John! I would keep telling him 'John, please go away you look so good that nobody's looking at me. John's got the hottest body!"

And what does John think of her body? Shilpa grins naughtily, "Well you just have to ask John that. We would work out a lot together at the same gym which was in the Miami hotel where we were staying. John had his own trainer and I would do my yoga exercises but John would keep popping in and asking how I was doing. We got along very well."

Shilpa's very happy with the reactions she's getting for the song. "People have been telling me they like my hot look. Raj (Kundra) said he loved it when he saw it the first time but my father initially was a bit shocked. He has never seen me wearing so little clothes, I guess," Shilpa laughs and adds, "He looked at the song, looked away and then back again but never said anything."

John, Abhishek shoot an additional song for Dostana

It's customary for two stars to be pitched against one another in real life whenever they are paired on screen. The last time we heard murmurs of discontent was when Bipasha and Deepika apparently couldn't stand one another while shooting Bachna Ae Haseeno.

But John and Abhishek get along like a house on fire. To their regret, they had to shoot a music video for Dostana separately.

Producer Karan Johar who just landed in Mumbai after two weeks of location hunting in Los Angeles says the song 'Maa Da Ladla' was shot during his absence. "I left it entirely to my director Tarun Mansukhani and to the choreographer Feroz (who's been Farah Khan's assistant for ten years). So you'll have to ask Tarun what happened."

Tarun Mansukhani has his own explanation for why Abhishek and John shot the song separately. "I deliberately didn't shoot the song with John and Abhishek together. I wanted at least this one song 'Maa Da Ladla' to look different from the rest of the film where they're constantly together, fooling around, chumming it up. They shot individually, so the masti of the rest of the movie was missing on the sets." Tarun trails off sadly, and then perks up. "The last shooting before this was for 'Desi Girl' where all of us were together. It was so much fun."

The 'Maa Da Ladla' song was shot on 15, 16 and 17 October at Filmistan studios and onlookers watched Abhishek and John arrive on separate days. "This is a music video which we'll use for promotion and probably for the end titles," explains Tarun.

Says Abhishek, "It was wonderful to shoot with John Abraham again after Dhoom. It was fun on the sets because we were all friends."

Adds John, "Abhishek is not co-star or colleague. He's a friend. I dote on him. I love him to death. We never compete. We complement each other in Dostana. We share a great chemistry. Abhishek and I are a couple in the film."

The hottest gay couple of bollywood

Ok, who’s the hottest couple in Bollywood? Akshay Kumar and Katrina Kaif, right?

Wrong! After Karan Johar’s Dostana next month, it’s going to be Abhishek Bachchan and John Abraham. The two hunks, according to the buzz from the film’s sets on Miami’s sunny beaches, share such a terrific chemistry... that audiences are going to wonder.

Check out this rumble-tumble they’re indulging in and decide, is there a vibe between them? For sure! John, of course, is the international gay’s fantasy. And Abhishek is fast getting there with his switchover from dark-and-brooding to naughty-and-mischievous. Apparently, John and Abhishek had no hesitation about putting their leading hero and straight images on hold for the time being and playing gay with conviction on screen. Union Health Minister Ambumani Ramadoss, who was all for changing the law that makes homosexuality a crime in India, will be delighted.

Karan, who’s always pushed the romantic genre and taken it to higher levels in cinema, admits that he’s experimented with the gay theme. “But not in an offensive way,” said the director, “this is not Brokeback Mountain, you understand, but it’s also not the same triangle with a train, plane or automobile climax and somebody rushing to stop someone from going away.

Our audiences are more ready than filmmakers for new formats and path-breaking films. Ten years ago, who would have thought A Wednesday would pack in multiplexes or a Taare Zameen Par would do multi-crore business?

They would be parallel cinema. Today they are mainstream.” Agreed. Times are a-changing and kuch kuch hota hai in Bollywood!

'Shut Up and Bounce'

After Desi Girl, it's now time for Shilpa Shetty to Shut Up and Bounce. That's the song in Tarun Mansukhani's Dostana that will air soon.

Producer Karan Johar says, "Shilpa has done a sizzling job but the credit also goes to Tarun and Vaibhavi Merchant (choreographer). Composed by Vishal-Shekhar, the track is an introductory song picturised on the film's stars John Abraham and Abhishek Bachchan in Miami.

Tarun and Vaibhavi wanted a hot actress to be with them. We all brainstormed and felt that Shilpa undoubtedly has the best body in the business."

Tarun adds, "Vishal-Shekhar and I were bouncing all kinds of tunes when they both got fed up with me and said, 'Shut up and give me a song that won't bounce' and that became the catchword."

About choosing Shilpa, Tarun says, "She is the quintessential bikini babe. She was comfortable about wearing everything and is very dedicated. We were to shoot the song in seven days but completed it in four and a half."

A source close to Shilpa says, "The actress had stopped doing item numbers as people had stopped taking her seriously. She was concentrating more on performance-oriented roles. When Karan asked her to do the song, Shilpa wanted to hear it out.

The moment she heard it, she loved it and agreed instantly. Shilpa also loved the perfect amalgamation of her favourite people working with her which included apart from Karan and Vaibhavi, Manish Malhotra (designer), Mickey Contractor (make-up) and Latika (hairstylist).

Adds the source, "When she landed in Miami, her baggage went missing. But she went shopping with Manish and bought stuff from designers Gucci and Dolce & Gabbana to wear."

John's bare dare act in DOSTANA!

The shooting of Karan Johar's Tarun Mansukhani directed DOSTANA is progressing briskly in Miami, Florida. In fact Abhishek Bachchan, John Abraham and Aishwarya Rai (who is with her hubby) are obliging the fans who are visiting the sets in hordes, with autographs and also by getting snapped with them.

With Shilpa Shetty shooting a sizzling biking item number, the film appears to be getting hotter and hotter with each passing day. And to top it all, there is news that John Abraham will be seen as never before in DOSTANA. No we do not mean that he will be a playing a surprising negative character in DOSTANA or something on those lines, but it's his appearance in the film that we are talking about.

Well, here is good news for those countless female fans who drool over John's perfect physique. Yes, John will not only be seen without his shirt but (sorry, shut those evil thoughts!), his well sculpted body will also be seen in swimming trunks too!

While on DOSTANA, Karan plans to complete and release the Abhishek Bachchan, John Abraham and Priyanka Chopra starrer by year end, though it looks difficult.

Abid

No time for Moss!

The supermodel visited the Dostana sets in Miami but the film’s cast left before she arrived

Karan Johar’s Dostana, directed by Tarun Mansukhani, which is being canned in Miami had a surprise guest on the sets. International supermodel Kate Moss visited the sets of the film to see the way a B-Town production functions. She met Tarun but lead actors Abhishek Bachchan, John Abraham and Priyanka Chopra couldn’t get to meet her as they all had left for the day! KJo also was not present.

Kate was doing a cover shoot for an American fashion magazine in Miami. She was doing a recce with the production team when someone said a Bollywood movie was being shoot nearby. That’s when Kate decided to drop in KJo’s film set. She and the magazine’s executives asked Tarun’s permission to shoot on their sets but Tarun couldn’t take a call as his producer, Karan had already left for India.

A source from the sets says, “The shooting has been going on a hectic pace, but it ground to a halt when Kate dropped in on the sets. She saw some scenes which were canned during the day on the monitor and asked many questions about the shoot and the cast.”

Karan Johar and Tarun Mansukhani remained unavailable for comment.

Amul Sharma

Luxury condos for Dostana cast

Karan Johar believes in pampering his cast and crew. For his next production, Dostana, directed by Tarun Mansukhani, Karan has put up John Abraham, Abhishek Bachchan and Priyanka Chopra at Doubletree Grand Hotel Biscayne Bay in downtown Miami.

Says a unit member, “The Doubletree Grand Hotel Biscayne Bay is a waterfront luxury full-service condo-hotel in the heart of downtown Miami, Florida. The hotel comes with condominiums each having fully furnished 2-3 bedrooms, kitchen and living room. There is a health club and spa too.

Each condominium has staff and services to provide guests everything from food supplies to groceries. Stars like John once in a while even whip up some nice exotic dishes in the kitchenette.”

Miami is a location where most Indian filmmakers have not shot in. “It’s relatively new and unexploited as yet in Indian cinema and that was exactly what Karan wanted. He wanted a cool, beachfront, hip look for Dostana. It’s a seven week schedule in Miami after which the cast and crew will head for Mumbai to complete the second schedule.”

The Doubletree Grand Key Resort is situated directly on Biscayne Bay and overlooks the Port of Miami. The hotel’s backyard is the Sea Isle Marina, home to the Miami International Boat Show, where guests can enjoy scenic charters of Miami on the Biscayne Lady.

Some of the services provided in the Doubletree Grand Key Resort are: the beauty salon, clothing store, laundry/valet service, multi-lingual staff, room service and for fitness, there is the AVEDA Day Spa, basketball, body sculpting, boxing, cedar sauna, fishing and the fitness rooms among other things besides the indoor lap pool, and the whirlpool.

Upala KBR

Karan Johar & Krew off to Miami

Finally, it's happening for debutant director Tarun Mansukhani. The cast and crew of his film Dostana, left on Friday, for Miami for a non-stop shooting on the beaches there. Two of the three principal actors have been rushing to complete their projects. Abhishek Bachchan has been working round-the-clock completing the current schedule of Rakeysh Mehra's Dilli 6.

Priyanka Chopra was going ballistic trying to wrap up Madhur Bhandarkar's Fashion before rushing off Bangkok to shoot an ad with Saif Ali Khan, She joins the Dostana gang in Miami from there. Only John Abraham who plays Abhishek's best friend and flat-mate in Dostana was relatively free before departure. "I've been going crazy trying to wrap up all my work here before heading to Miami with my director," Karan said hours before leaving the country for a month-and-a-half. "It's at times like these that I miss my father the most. He'd have made all the pre-production work plus travel arrangements look like a cakewalk. I'm going insane trying to cope."

While in the US Karan also intends to finalize locations for his own directorial venture Khan which he intends to shoot in New York at the end of the year. "Once we're in the US and the shooting for Dostana starts I'll leave my director and his team to their own devices. I'll just be there in the background. Let me tell you, Tarun has written one of the funniest scripts I have ever read. It is a very urbane kind of comedy. I don't know what the so-called interiors are going to make of it."

Subhash K. Jha, Bollywood Hungama