An affair to remember--the Hrithik sky party (from TNT)
Meeting their heartthrob in person, shaking hands or simply standing close
to him drove the crowd into ecstasies. To be given the pleasure to interact
and ask him questions and also have answers was indeed a dream come true for
many. The event was the end of the Close-up contest called Guarantee Hamari
Kismet Tumhari.
A simple procedure of filling your name and other details on the back of a
Close up carton and you could be the lucky one to meet Hrithik in person.
Hrithik is also one of the first stars to have such an interaction with his
fans and this could pave the way for other superstars to do the same.
The strains of the live rendition of 'Kaho Na Pyar Hai' songs by Babul
Supriyo filled the terrace of the Hotel Orchid. The songs captured the
essence of the event, that brought 30 lucky people close to their dream man.
Over three to four lakhs entries were received for the contest, out of which
30 winners were picked in a lucky dip. The youngest entry being 18 years of
age and the oldest 54-year Grish Bhandari from Jaipur. The number of letters
written in blood seemed unbelievable and Hrithik wasn't exactly happy to see
letters in blood, so he advised his fans not to.
Hrithik was like a thrilled child after getting inside the aircraft. He said
that though he was frightened of heights, this skyparty relieved him of his
fears and to be with his fans meant more to him than anything else.
Hrithik wasn't there long at the party as he had another flight to catch but
the moments were worth it for the few lucky ones who were aboard the flight.
Here's what they have to say.
Paridi Agarwal was so happy that she spoke to him and got his autograph,
while for Pawan Kumar from Bangalore, it was a dream come true. "He is so
down to earth. He asked about my studies, my family.. I never imagined him
to be so ..so nice. "
Chanchal Mahendra, an 18-year old from Delhi didn't have words to express
her joy at meeting Hrithik. There were a lot of other fans ,who did not get
to board the flight with him... but they did get to join him on stage and
some were so much in awe of him that they simply gaped at him.
That's what Hrithik does to people. He's magic!
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Amitabh, Jaya owe Rs 151 mn to IT dept; Shah Rukh owes Rs 27 mn
Bollywood superstar Amitabh Bachchan and his wife Jaya owe nearly Rs 151 million to the Income Tax department, the Lok Sabha was informed on Friday.
Replying to a written question, Minister of State for Finance G N Ramachandran informed the House that Amitabh Bachchan had an outstanding of Rs 126.72 million on account of Income Tax against him as on December 31, 2000, while his wife Jaya owed Rs 24.35 million to the department.
Shah Rukh Khan owed Rs 27.14 million to the Income Tax department, the minister informed the House.
He said there were as many as 94 cine stars, producers and actors who owed money to the Income Tax department.
Basant Kumar Patil owes Rs 30.71 million, Subhash Ghai Rs 7.84 million, M C Bokadia Rs 7.61 million, O P Ralhan Rs 10.13 million and Yash Raj Chopra Rs 10.21 million, the minister said.
He said recovery of tax arrears was a continuous process and included charging of interest, levy of penalty, attachment of bank accounts and attachment and sale of moveable and immoveable properties.
Ramachandaran said periodical reviews and monitoring of cases involving high demands were made by higher authorities on a continuous basis and "necessary instruction are issued from time to time for effecting recovery of taxes."
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SHAH RUKH KHAN: I need to take risks...
Trooping along with the numero uno star all the way to Film City is something you would like to cherish what with his sense of humour keeping you entertained. But once on the sets, the actor gets somber coz it is work as usual. And Devdas is his pet project. The awesome set with its long curtains, huge chandeliers and carved pillars, Shah Rukh insists is his second home. So sitting comfortably in a home close to his heart, the killer Khan answers a few questions:
What did you expect from One 2 Ka 4?
I knew everyone would go to the theatre to see the film. Unlike Phir Bhi Dil Hai Hindustani, where people objected to the humour being a bit on the complex side or Yes Boss where they found the humour to be of a slapstick nature, One 2 Ka 4’s simple yet funny treatment had everyone laughing through the film. It is a complete entertainer.
How did you work on the character of the cop?
I knew my character had to behave somewhat like a lunatic, much like Mel Gibson’s in Lethal Weapon. This guy’s idea of eliminating crime was to bump off criminals. It was a wonderful experience doing the film as this was the first time I was playing a cop.
How is this role different from the ones you have played before?
As I said, this was the first time I was playing a cop and he was not the intense, larger than life police officer with a singular mission. Neither was he a Pandu havaldar or Inspector Bhinde kind of buffoon. He was a tough cop but funny in his own way. Just the other day a youngster walked upto me and told me how my character had inspired him to become a police officer. It’s gestures like these that make me feel that the effort was worth it.
Wasn’t the title of the film too unconventional?
I don’t think so. It was a catchy title for a snappy, entertaining film. Interestingly, as the film got underway, the title took on some interesting connotations. Gauri and I became One 2 Ka 4 with the arrival of Aryan followed by Suhana. Juhi also gave birth to Janhavi recently. And even the producer of the film became a father during its making. So, two, three and four… yes, four babies arrived during One 2 Ka 4. Strangely enough, the phrase “breaking a leg” also took on a different meaning with this movie. During its making, I broke my leg twice and while Juhi broke her leg once, so the title had a physical angle too.
How was the experience of working with so many kids?
Though the film had me portraying a character who hates kids. I have no such problem in real life. So I enjoyed working with the four children. The set was always alive with Juhi and the kids upto something. The only problem I had was because of my smoking. Everytime I lit a cigarette in front of the kids, one of them would snatch away the cigarette. I had to give in to their demands and not smoke because they were so affectionate, but I must confess that I had a tough time staying away from my cigarettes.
How different is it having two kids at home?
It’s great! I am looking forward to spending time with them. My son, Aryan, has become quite a monster. While my daughter is too little to realize that her father is playing with her. Whereever I go, I buy lots of toys for them and when playing with them I turn into a kid myself.
Back to One 2 Ka 4, the long delay in making it bother you?
No one deliberately delays a film. Due to some unavoidable reasons the film was delayed but the gaps are not too evident. The film still looks fresh and the credit for that must go to the technicians and actors who have given the film a straight-off-the-tawa feel. Especially the southern team of director Shashilal Nair, cinematographer S Kumar and music director A R Rahman who have done a fabulous job. The technology used by these people and guys like KV Anand and Santosh Sivan makes their films look very advanced. But there were some natural factors that could not be overcome. The kids had shot up in height. But then the film is not to be taken so seriously.
Why do you think the media went against you after Phir Bhi Dil Hai Hindustani?
It is something I have never really tried to follow up on. I can’t go and confront everyone. When I was new, I would take on people. Get angry, abuse them and even pick up a fight with them. Those days I was new and small. My parents taught me to always pick on people my own size. In the last nine years, I have become so big that I seldom find people my size. In my interviews, I try to provide a glimpse of myself. I hope the nicety comes across. Journalists write what they want and it’s upto the readers whether to believe it or not. I always say one thing, I am not as good or as bad as the media makes me out to be.
I have been working for nine-and-a-half years now. The next year will be my tenth. I have seen a lot of ups and downs. I have seen my growth as an actor, technical improvements in cinema, the rise of a number of my professional friends and the press that is a deep and an integral part of showbiz. I try to make my interviews funny, nice and sweet so people enjoy what they read.
What made you choose a period film like Asoka as your first production?
I need to take such risks if I want to evolve as an actor. Also, let me tell you that if I have Asoka and Devdas, I also have a Kabhi Khushi Kabhie Ghum. I have worked with directors who are taking risks all the time. I admire Adi (Aditya Chopra), Sanjay Leela Bhansali, Mansoor Khan and Karan Johar for their efforts. Josh had me not as the hero but the heroine’s brother. Everyone thought that the film would flop but they were wrong. If all these guys can take risks, why can’t I?
Tell us more about Asoka?
It’s different and hopefully still commercially viable. The film is more or less complete. Only 10 per cent of the film is left to be canned. Asoka is not about trying to promote Shah Rukh Khan, the star. It is a film made by Santosh Sivan, the maker of Terrorist. A man who filmed Chaiya chaiya... on top of the train. Kareena Kapoor is outstanding in the film. Asoka is a mix of love and war. The log line sent by Santosh is, “Only the dead have seen the end of the war”. Asoka is a historical film that will touch the hearts of people.
Today you are known as a romantic rather than a psyhotic or an action hero. Does that make you happy?
Oh, how I miss not doing action films! I’m a child at heart and enjoy fight sequences. I make up for their absence by playing with my son. We play boxing, play with guns. I pretend to be injured and fall down... It’s good fun! Initially, I couldn’t do action films because I had no muscles to display. Still I struggled in Darr and Anjaam. It’s funny but action is inherent, a very personal thing. You don’t need to manifest it onto cars and stunts! You can physically show it. You can also keep it inside you. Karan Arjun, Ram Jane and Koyla showed that. My favourite, of course, are the over-the-top action films. I enjoyed doing them for the first 4-5 years, but since everyone else was doing the same, I shifted to love stories. Now, even if I want to do actiion films producers will not let me because of Mohabbatein, Dilwale Dulhaniya Le Jayenge, Kuch Kuch Hota Hai or Dil To Pagal Hai. I am still trying to mould myself into a perfect action hero. I don’t have the looks but I have the inclination. And till these films came my way I will play a kiddie kind of action hero (laughs).
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Urmila Out Of Sathyu's Film
There's no doubt about it - our heroines are more adventurous than their
male counterparts. While our heroes have clung to bone-shattering action
films or heart-cuddling romantic movies, heroines like Tabu, Raveena and
Karisma have jumped on to the art-film bandwagon. And it's paid off
handsomely for them. It works both ways - small filmmakers get more
visibility for their films with known names and the actresses get to play
something besides arm candy girlfriend roles.
Urmila, too, decided to dabble in something different when she agreed to act
in renowned filmmaker M S Sathyu's new film titled Garam Hawa. She was all
excited about the project but now comes the news that she is no longer doing
the film. This is because apparently she was unhappy with Sathayu's choice
of hero (Puru Raaj Kumar). At a time when Urmila has just a few films on the
floors (Om Jai Jagdish and Ankh Michauli) and considering that she is not
part of the cast of even Ramu's new film, Company, it's as much Urmila's
loss as Sathyu's. Now it's up to Pyar Tune Kya Kiya (where, incidentally,
she looks smashing) to make the klieg lights shine bright on Urmila once
again.
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South Superstar Madhavan To Appear In Hindi Films
It's an interesting growth curve. After gaining popularity with TV serials
like Saaya, Madhavan (affectionately known as Maddy) struck gold in Chennai
where he gave hits with the likes of Mani Ratnam and has become something of
a regional Hrithik Roshan. Now the easy-on-the-eye Madhavan will finally
appear in not one but two Hindi films. Producer Vivek Vaswani has pencilled
the serene south star (Vivek can't stop praising his manners) for his Dil
Vil Pyaar Vaar where Maddy co-stars with Mahima Chowdhary, Hrishita Bhatt,
Jimmy Shergill and Sanjay Suri. And that's not all, Vashu Bhagnani has also
signed Madhavan for his next film alongside Saif Ali Khan.
Considering Vaswani was the one who backed Shah Rukh in the early days (Raju
Ban Gaya Gentleman) and Vashu's known to put his money on hot newcomers like
Abhishek Bachchan (Tera Jadoo Chal Gaya) and Tusshar Kapoor (Mujhe Kuch
Kehna Hai), looks like Madhavan has hitched his star to the right wagon.
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Sunil Shetty Ropes In Ajay Jadeja
It took one phone call from cricket buff Sunil Shetty to convince Ajay
Jadeja to say yes to a lead role in Pammi Sandhu's untitled film. "Of
course, he asked for the script and finally said yes as soon as he read it.
Later, he flew down to Mumbai for a joint narration with me," reveals Sunil.
Sunil has now got his lasso ready for Urmila. "I am sure she will say yes,
too. It's a beautiful love traingle - a role no heroine would refuse." Sunil
is confident of Ajay's screen presence, "He has such a cheerful face and is
so bubbly."
Though the film was launched with a mahurat on April 26, it will be a couple
of months before the film goes on floors. "I want to complete some pending
work and Ajay wants to do some acting course before we fly off to London for
the schedule, says an excited Sunil. Incidentally, the film will have music
by Nadeem Shravan who gave Sunil a big boost with their Dhadkan score.
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Hollywood tapping Indian market
Indians like it big. At least when it comes to the big silver screen of
cinema. If Bollywood continues to survive on big star cast, big directors,
big sets and, of course, now the big united joint family, Hollywood films
have been raking profits on the sub-continent with extinct and fictitious
species that look ready to destroy the human race.
And from the look of it, Delhi will see some more action in terms of
mysteries, thrillers and giant reptiles in the coming months. Wednesday saw
yet another U.S.-based distribution company, PG Entertainment LLC step into
the Indian shores by formally launching its Indian division PGM
Entertainment Pvt Limited.
With India fast becoming the world's largest English-speaking population,
distribution companies are fast realising the potential of the Indian
English film market, which is estimated to be worth Rs. 400 million at
present.
Managed by an Indian born U.S.-based Puneet Dureja and Gurpreet Singh, the
company will be releasing films like the ``Spiders'', ``Crocodile'', ``Shark
Attack'', ``Storm'' and ``Tycus''. Having spent the last few years studying
the Indian market and its demands, the company realised that it was action
and special effect films that were doing well in India.
With a collection of over 220 English films under its belt, the company also
plans to get into producing feature films, television series and
documentaries later. ``We are negotiating with a lot of people. Although our
focus is on the distribution of English films at present, we are not
completely averse to the idea of making Hindi films,'' revealed Puneet
Dureja.
Since the dubbed film segment is also picking up in most parts of the
sector, especially Uttar Pradesh, Delhi and other Northern sectors, the
company has decided to release the movies in Hindi and two other languages
to reach out to a wider audience. As of now, PGM plans to release four or
more films this year, and hopes to cover at least 50 in the next three
years.
``Our research showed that language was the only barrier. People even in
remote areas took a liking to English movies of different themes, when shown
in the dubbed format. So the dubbed segment will be a separate and important
market,'' says Dureja.
With action films covering a good 20 per cent share of the Hollywood film
market in India, PGM is hoping that its collection of good action flicks
will be able to make an impact on the Indian scene.
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Worldwide release of Daman on May 4
DAMAN, a film based on marital rape in India, will be premiered worldwide on May 4.
Produced by the Union Health and Family Welfare Ministry with a financial grant from the National Film Development Corporation and directed by Kalpana Lajmi, the full length Hindi movie will be released simultaneously in Mumbai, New Delhi, Guwahati, New York, London and Amsterdam.
Dada Saheb Phalke award winner, Dr Hazarika explained the venture as a creative effort for mass awareness regarding the evils of domestic violence against women in the country.
The Assam government has already declared the film tax-free.
Dr Hazarika said the film revolves around a housewife named Durga who was subjected to extreme violation of a woman’s right.
The film has been shot entirely in Assam and the cast includes artistes from both the Assamese and Mumbai film industry.
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