Tuesday, October 16, 2007
Infos: Aishwarya Rai Link
Issue 72 Out Now!
Featured in this issue:
Climbers' Climbers: profiles of some of Australia's most passionate climbers
A Girls' Own Adventure in Greenland, with Gemma Woldendorp and Natasha Sebire
Five 5s: Stuart Ellis on a bouldering Odyssey in the Sydney area
The Totem Pole: a profile of the iconic Tasmanian sea stack
The Art of Not Climbing: Scott Walker with valuable advice on letting your body recover
Booty Calls: Mitch Warren makes the most of abandoned gear
plus all our regular new climbs, gear and news sections.
Note: subscriber copies are being mailed on 27 September; the official on-sale date is 4 October.
For the full table of contents for this issue, go to the Wild and Rock Index.
Subscribe to Rock magazine!. Only $35.95 for 12 months (4 issues). Price includes GST and delivery in Australia.
Bhool Bhulaiya
Introducing Bhool Bhulaiya
First of all let me make it clear, Bhool Bhulaiyaa is NOT an out-n-out comedy movie as its trailers suggest. It’s a thriller narrated in a very entertaining way.
Bhool Bhulaiyaa is the remake of a 14 year old Malayalam movie, Manichitrathazhu. The movie was also remade in Kannada and Tamil. It a script that has always worked! So is Bhool Bhulaiyaa in the same league?
Bhool Bhulaiyaa Story
Badrinarayan Chaturvedi (Manoj Josi) is the head of the Brahmin family living in a small town were the people are very conventional and superstitious. His elder brother’s son Siddharth (Shiney Ahuja) and his wife Avni (Vidya Balan) return to their ancestral village after living in US for many years. Siddharth insists in staying in his ancestral palace which for long has been uninhabited as it’s considered to be haunted. Despite opposition the newly wed couple shifts to their ancestral mansion. Avni an adventurous girl breaks the ground rules to explore the room considered to be the devil’s home. What follows is a series of life threatening incidents. Siddharth instinctively invites his vibrant Doctor friend Aditya (Akshay Kumar) to solve the mystery behind the mansion and the mysterious events.
Who is behind all the baffling activities? Is it really ghastly or just a human trick? Watch Bhool Bhulaiyaa to uncover the mystery, for the movie ventures into one of the most confusing yet interesting study of human psychology.
Bhool Bhulaiyaa Movie Review
Priyadarshan has handled the complicated script extremely well. A few changes have been made to the original, to make it funnier and more convincing. The first half is a light comic thriller and completely revolves around the supporting characters. The lead character (Akshay Kumar) enters 45 mins into the movie and takes it to a completely different level. The second half is more of a psychological thriller.
Bhool Bhulaiya has just the right ingredients of a successful movie - adequate amount of comedy, suspense and thrill to keep you at the edge of your seats throughout. Music is never really great in Priyadarshan movies but Bhool Bhulaiyaa is an exception. Two songs titled ‘Allah Hafiz’ and ‘Hare Krishna Hare Ram’ standout. The background score is outstanding.
The performances are top-notch. The second half belongs to Vidya Balan. She has done complete justice to a role that demanded great onscreen histrionics. Watch out as she sets the screen ablaze with a mind blowing performance in the last 20 mins. Undoubtedly her best performance to date! Akshay Kumar is surprisingly good in emotional scenes and as always brilliant with his comic timing.
Shiney Ahuja is good. Amisha Patel should stop acting, the sooner the better. Paresh Rawal, Rajpal Yadav, Asrani are great in providing comic relief.
Indicine.com Bhool Bhulaiyaa Verdict
Overall, Bhool Bhulaiyaa is a great movie. History should repeat itself for a script that has always created history in every single language that it was made in. You would have never watched something like this before in a Bollywood movie. At the box-office, the advance booking is huge. With positive word of mouth, Bhool Bhulaiyaa could well be the 3rd blockbuster of the year!
First of all let me make it clear, Bhool Bhulaiyaa is NOT an out-n-out comedy movie as its trailers suggest. It’s a thriller narrated in a very entertaining way.
Bhool Bhulaiyaa is the remake of a 14 year old Malayalam movie, Manichitrathazhu. The movie was also remade in Kannada and Tamil. It a script that has always worked! So is Bhool Bhulaiyaa in the same league?
Bhool Bhulaiyaa Story
Badrinarayan Chaturvedi (Manoj Josi) is the head of the Brahmin family living in a small town were the people are very conventional and superstitious. His elder brother’s son Siddharth (Shiney Ahuja) and his wife Avni (Vidya Balan) return to their ancestral village after living in US for many years. Siddharth insists in staying in his ancestral palace which for long has been uninhabited as it’s considered to be haunted. Despite opposition the newly wed couple shifts to their ancestral mansion. Avni an adventurous girl breaks the ground rules to explore the room considered to be the devil’s home. What follows is a series of life threatening incidents. Siddharth instinctively invites his vibrant Doctor friend Aditya (Akshay Kumar) to solve the mystery behind the mansion and the mysterious events.
Who is behind all the baffling activities? Is it really ghastly or just a human trick? Watch Bhool Bhulaiyaa to uncover the mystery, for the movie ventures into one of the most confusing yet interesting study of human psychology.
Bhool Bhulaiyaa Movie Review
Priyadarshan has handled the complicated script extremely well. A few changes have been made to the original, to make it funnier and more convincing. The first half is a light comic thriller and completely revolves around the supporting characters. The lead character (Akshay Kumar) enters 45 mins into the movie and takes it to a completely different level. The second half is more of a psychological thriller.
Bhool Bhulaiya has just the right ingredients of a successful movie - adequate amount of comedy, suspense and thrill to keep you at the edge of your seats throughout. Music is never really great in Priyadarshan movies but Bhool Bhulaiyaa is an exception. Two songs titled ‘Allah Hafiz’ and ‘Hare Krishna Hare Ram’ standout. The background score is outstanding.
The performances are top-notch. The second half belongs to Vidya Balan. She has done complete justice to a role that demanded great onscreen histrionics. Watch out as she sets the screen ablaze with a mind blowing performance in the last 20 mins. Undoubtedly her best performance to date! Akshay Kumar is surprisingly good in emotional scenes and as always brilliant with his comic timing.
Shiney Ahuja is good. Amisha Patel should stop acting, the sooner the better. Paresh Rawal, Rajpal Yadav, Asrani are great in providing comic relief.
Indicine.com Bhool Bhulaiyaa Verdict
Overall, Bhool Bhulaiyaa is a great movie. History should repeat itself for a script that has always created history in every single language that it was made in. You would have never watched something like this before in a Bollywood movie. At the box-office, the advance booking is huge. With positive word of mouth, Bhool Bhulaiyaa could well be the 3rd blockbuster of the year!
It's my goodwill versus big money: Shah Rukh
New Delhi, Bollywood superstar Shah Rukh Khan says he is not cut out for politics and he is "too materialistic and too good-looking" to play the role.
"I really appreciate the youngsters who make a decision to join politics because it is a very self-sacrificing job. I'm too selfish and too materialistic to be a politician. I can't sacrifice my personal gains. I'm also too good-looking to be a politician," King Khan said at the HT Leadership Summit held here."I would also take this opportunity to apologise on behalf of the entire industry that caricatured politicians in their films. They are not as self-centred as shown in our films," he added.Talking about his vision for future India, he said: "I would like see a more educated India because I feel there is no alternative to education. I would like to contribute to education of children."The superstar is touched by the pitiable condition of Indian women who can't afford even the basic amenities. "I respect women a lot and I feel ashamed when I am driving down in a remote area and see women don't have their privacy. I would like to build the basic utilities for them," said Shah Rukh. He is quite media savvy. And unlike many, he doesn't think that media have been prying too much into celebrities' personal lives.Shah Rukh said: "Sometimes media exaggerate things like my so-called rivalry with Mr. Amitabh Bachchan. But I cannot deny that I use media for my gains time and again. So, I cannot complain when they use me. "We have a synergy here. I respect media, as it is a huge marketing device. For example, I don't have the Rs.300-400 million like Sony Pictures (who is producing and marketing 'Saawariya') to market my film, so I depend on the media for that."When asked about things he is not comfortable doing on screen, SRK said: "The ban on on-screen smoking and drinking was narrow-minded. I don't like dark films, I don't feel comfortable playing a mean guy and using abusive language, especially after (I have had) my children."The actor, who has starred in this year's biggest hits and does a lot of endorsements, has become one of the super brands of India. However, he says that he never worked consciously to achieve that."Brands are made by the conventional way of working hard. I never worked in a special manner to build my brand. I just worked hard." Asked how difficult it is to maintain the brand image, he said: "Getting somewhere is easy but holding it is very difficult. Brands work if you think positively."
"I really appreciate the youngsters who make a decision to join politics because it is a very self-sacrificing job. I'm too selfish and too materialistic to be a politician. I can't sacrifice my personal gains. I'm also too good-looking to be a politician," King Khan said at the HT Leadership Summit held here."I would also take this opportunity to apologise on behalf of the entire industry that caricatured politicians in their films. They are not as self-centred as shown in our films," he added.Talking about his vision for future India, he said: "I would like see a more educated India because I feel there is no alternative to education. I would like to contribute to education of children."The superstar is touched by the pitiable condition of Indian women who can't afford even the basic amenities. "I respect women a lot and I feel ashamed when I am driving down in a remote area and see women don't have their privacy. I would like to build the basic utilities for them," said Shah Rukh. He is quite media savvy. And unlike many, he doesn't think that media have been prying too much into celebrities' personal lives.Shah Rukh said: "Sometimes media exaggerate things like my so-called rivalry with Mr. Amitabh Bachchan. But I cannot deny that I use media for my gains time and again. So, I cannot complain when they use me. "We have a synergy here. I respect media, as it is a huge marketing device. For example, I don't have the Rs.300-400 million like Sony Pictures (who is producing and marketing 'Saawariya') to market my film, so I depend on the media for that."When asked about things he is not comfortable doing on screen, SRK said: "The ban on on-screen smoking and drinking was narrow-minded. I don't like dark films, I don't feel comfortable playing a mean guy and using abusive language, especially after (I have had) my children."The actor, who has starred in this year's biggest hits and does a lot of endorsements, has become one of the super brands of India. However, he says that he never worked consciously to achieve that."Brands are made by the conventional way of working hard. I never worked in a special manner to build my brand. I just worked hard." Asked how difficult it is to maintain the brand image, he said: "Getting somewhere is easy but holding it is very difficult. Brands work if you think positively."
Monday, October 15, 2007
Lakhme Fashion Show Day 1 TITLE + -
Saawariya
Shiny Ahuja and Vidya Balan on Nach Baliye 3
Dev Anand may release the English version of "Guide"
London, The only known surviving print of the rarely-seen English version of the Bollywood movie "Guide" is in the possession of Dev Anand - and he may just agree to release it one day for public viewing, the evergreen superstar disclosed.
"Guide", based on a novel by R.K. Narayan was made in two versions in 1965 - the Hindi one was directed by Dev Anand's brother Vijay Anand and the Hollywood one by Tad Danielewski. American novelist Pearl S. Buck, a Nobel laureate, co-produced the English movie with Dev Anand and wrote its script.The English version had an alternative title, "Survival". The idea was to introduce Dev Anand to English-speaking audiences.Although the Hindi version, co-starring Waheeda Rehman, is considered a Bollywood landmark, the English one has rarely been publicly seen in India, having been withdrawn hastily after its US release spawned indifferent reviews.However, Dev Anand, in London for the launch of his autobiography "Romancing with Life" told IANS Sunday that he had what is possibly the only surviving print of the film."Pearl S. Buck is dead, and the American laboratory which had a print closed down long ago. But I have one print with me," Dev Anand told IANS after launching his book in the presence of a number of dignitaries at the Nehru Centre in London Sunday evening.Will he consider releasing the English version for public viewing? "Let me see, let me see," Dev Anand, 84, said with his trademark mischievous smile, his eyes twinkling.The English version was actually the first one that was shot, and it is faithful to the adult theme of the book, which deals with adultery.After it flopped at the US box-office, Dev Anand decided to remake it in Hindi but watered down the adult content of the original novel. Vijay Anand was so shocked to read the original script, he is said to have twice turned down the offer to direct it before finally relenting.Dev Anand, who has acted in 125 films and directed 36, has spoken elsewhere of the challenge of making a movie on adultery in 1960s India."We wrote a new screenplay retaining the basic theme, but deviating somewhat from R.K. Narayan's novel. The then Information and Broadcasting minister Satyanarayan Sinha panicked, saying people are complaining to the ministry about the adultery angle. 'Didn't your government give the novel a Sahitya Akademi award from the hands of Pandit Nehru?' I asked him. That settled it," Anand has said.Narayan himself was reported to be more enthusiastic about the English version than the Hindi one, which he dubbed the "misguided Guide".In a previous interview, Dev Anand had said: "After a pre-release screening of the English 'Guide', Narayan wrote me an effusive letter from America saying it's simply beautiful. But after the movie was panned by American critics and failed at the box-office, he began denouncing it publicly. I didn't bother to get his response to the Hindi 'Guide' because it wasn't really his story anyway."Whatever the facts of the case, the English "Guide" has remained for decades an object of intense curiosity among Indian cinema lovers, being the first major attempt by Bollywood to reach out to Western audiences.
"Guide", based on a novel by R.K. Narayan was made in two versions in 1965 - the Hindi one was directed by Dev Anand's brother Vijay Anand and the Hollywood one by Tad Danielewski. American novelist Pearl S. Buck, a Nobel laureate, co-produced the English movie with Dev Anand and wrote its script.The English version had an alternative title, "Survival". The idea was to introduce Dev Anand to English-speaking audiences.Although the Hindi version, co-starring Waheeda Rehman, is considered a Bollywood landmark, the English one has rarely been publicly seen in India, having been withdrawn hastily after its US release spawned indifferent reviews.However, Dev Anand, in London for the launch of his autobiography "Romancing with Life" told IANS Sunday that he had what is possibly the only surviving print of the film."Pearl S. Buck is dead, and the American laboratory which had a print closed down long ago. But I have one print with me," Dev Anand told IANS after launching his book in the presence of a number of dignitaries at the Nehru Centre in London Sunday evening.Will he consider releasing the English version for public viewing? "Let me see, let me see," Dev Anand, 84, said with his trademark mischievous smile, his eyes twinkling.The English version was actually the first one that was shot, and it is faithful to the adult theme of the book, which deals with adultery.After it flopped at the US box-office, Dev Anand decided to remake it in Hindi but watered down the adult content of the original novel. Vijay Anand was so shocked to read the original script, he is said to have twice turned down the offer to direct it before finally relenting.Dev Anand, who has acted in 125 films and directed 36, has spoken elsewhere of the challenge of making a movie on adultery in 1960s India."We wrote a new screenplay retaining the basic theme, but deviating somewhat from R.K. Narayan's novel. The then Information and Broadcasting minister Satyanarayan Sinha panicked, saying people are complaining to the ministry about the adultery angle. 'Didn't your government give the novel a Sahitya Akademi award from the hands of Pandit Nehru?' I asked him. That settled it," Anand has said.Narayan himself was reported to be more enthusiastic about the English version than the Hindi one, which he dubbed the "misguided Guide".In a previous interview, Dev Anand had said: "After a pre-release screening of the English 'Guide', Narayan wrote me an effusive letter from America saying it's simply beautiful. But after the movie was panned by American critics and failed at the box-office, he began denouncing it publicly. I didn't bother to get his response to the Hindi 'Guide' because it wasn't really his story anyway."Whatever the facts of the case, the English "Guide" has remained for decades an object of intense curiosity among Indian cinema lovers, being the first major attempt by Bollywood to reach out to Western audiences.
Priyanka Chopra in pain in Namibia
Mumbai, After injuring herself while filming a complicated stunt for "Drona" in Mumbai, Priyanka Chopra, who disregarded the doctors' diktat, has hurt herself again while shooting for the same thriller in Namibia.
"The doctors had told me to let the pulled muscle in my abs heal for at least six weeks. But last week I was doing a stunt scene here in Namibia, the abs got wounded again. I can't do anything about it because the action scenes scheduled for Namibia have to be shot, come what may," Priyanka told IANS. Though Priyanka is on painkillers and injections, she continues to shoot her scenes. "Fortunately, my mother is with me and she's looking after me quite well. Her being a doctor helps. I've no choice but to do my stunts through the injury. Once I get back to Mumbai, I can let it heal."As for signing Madhur Bhandarkar's "Fashion", she said: "The details, including my dates, have yet to be figured out. But, yes, I'm on. Though I'm not sure when."Apparently, the dates for "Fashion" have to be coordinated with Karan Johar's production that starts in March. Abhishek Bachchan and John Abraham have been roped in to play male leads in the romantic film to be directed by Karan's assistant Tarun Mansukhani.Priyanka said: "I'm really glad I'm finally working with Karan. It's a fun-filled, young, romantic comedy. I'm paired with Abhishek and John. It's always a pleasure working with these two guys. They are a barrelful of fun. In fact, I'm shooting with Abhishek now. It's a desert. But it's freezing."So what does the 25-year-old Priyanka aspire to do in life? "Just work, work, work! Marriage? No chance for a long while. Psychologically I'm still 16
"The doctors had told me to let the pulled muscle in my abs heal for at least six weeks. But last week I was doing a stunt scene here in Namibia, the abs got wounded again. I can't do anything about it because the action scenes scheduled for Namibia have to be shot, come what may," Priyanka told IANS. Though Priyanka is on painkillers and injections, she continues to shoot her scenes. "Fortunately, my mother is with me and she's looking after me quite well. Her being a doctor helps. I've no choice but to do my stunts through the injury. Once I get back to Mumbai, I can let it heal."As for signing Madhur Bhandarkar's "Fashion", she said: "The details, including my dates, have yet to be figured out. But, yes, I'm on. Though I'm not sure when."Apparently, the dates for "Fashion" have to be coordinated with Karan Johar's production that starts in March. Abhishek Bachchan and John Abraham have been roped in to play male leads in the romantic film to be directed by Karan's assistant Tarun Mansukhani.Priyanka said: "I'm really glad I'm finally working with Karan. It's a fun-filled, young, romantic comedy. I'm paired with Abhishek and John. It's always a pleasure working with these two guys. They are a barrelful of fun. In fact, I'm shooting with Abhishek now. It's a desert. But it's freezing."So what does the 25-year-old Priyanka aspire to do in life? "Just work, work, work! Marriage? No chance for a long while. Psychologically I'm still 16
Kunal Kapoor happy with first on-screen kiss
Mumbai, Kunal Kapoor gave his first on-screen kiss to Konkona Sen Sharma in his just released "Laaga Chunari Mein Daag" and the actor, who dabbles in poetry, is pretty happy with the lip-lock.
"My first on-screen kiss, and Konkona and I did it well, considering we did it in below-zero temperature in Switzerland with 50 people gawking," Kunal told IANS.This was Kunal's first family drama as well and he shared screen space with Rani Mukerji, Abhishek Bachchan and Jaya Bachchan in the film.His next is "Aaja Nachle". After that he doesn't have any films in hand, but the actor is chilled out. Kunal says films or no films, he is always occupied."I was supposed to do a play 'Baghdad Ka Ghulam' with Barry John. Unfortunately, it got postponed. I'm hearing scripts. I write poetry and I like to jot down my thoughts. And I'm a passionately inquisitive person. So there's never a dull moment in my life."Excerpts:Q: You do a lot of dancing in "Laaga Chunari Mein Daag" (LCMD)?A: I love dancing. But I'm not very good at it. I was intimidated by who I was dancing with. Abhishek and Rani are good dancers. Finally, they made it easier for me. But you know what? You don't necessarily have to be a pro at dancing to enjoy it. You've to be shameless before the camera. Q: You have a kissing scene with Konkona in LCMD?A: My first on-screen kiss and Konkona and I did it well, considering we did it in below-zero temperature in Switzerland with 50 people gawking. Q: Are you making excuses for bad kissing?A: Ha! No. Actually, I got good reactions to it.Q: You are a huge fan of Jaya Bachchan?A: Oh yes, and I couldn't believe it when I got to work with her. Jayaji fed us the best lunches on the sets. She used to bring lunch for 15 people. I eat enough for five people. When you grow up watching and admiring someone and then you get to work with her, the feeling is unbelievable. I got the same feeling when I worked with Aamir Khan. When we worked with him, we became friends. But even today when I look at the posters of "Rang De Basanti", I can't believe that's me with him. Q: LCMD is your first family film.A: Yeah, I guess my films so far have been unorthodox with me cast as a loner. But you know what? I'm a very family-oriented person. I've grown up watching the family films of Sooraj Barjatya and Yash Chopra. I haven't done a conventional family film before. Here the sharp editing and other technique add rather than take away from the main drama. Dada (Pradeep Sarkar) brings in a lot of technique without taking away from the main drama. Q: Good boy, that's you what you are supposed to say.A: No seriously. I wouldn't endorse a product I didn't believe in. If I don't like one of my films I'd keep quiet.Q: Like "Hattrick"?A: I don't know why this belief went around. I liked "Hattrick" and so did some people.Q: You're paired with Konkona again in "Aaja Nachle".A: Yeah. Konkona makes me feel like Salieri while she's Mozart. A third film with Konkona? I don't know... Q: Are you admitting Konkona is superior to you?A: That's an understatement. You know I'd come on the sets, do my rehearsals, get my lines right, be fully prepared. She'd just come on the sets, casually inquire about the scene, then read a book, and give a perfect shot.Q: What are you working on now?A: Nothing after "Aaja Nachle". I go by my instincts. It took me just a couple of minutes to say yes to LCMD and "Aaja Nachle". If I've to convince myself to do a film then it's not worth doing. Maybe I'm being naïve. But I really see no point in doing a film just to be busy.Q: What will you do in the coming months?A: I was supposed to do a play, "Baghdad Ka Ghulam", with Barry John. I had worked with Barry earlier and this play had Raghuvir Yadav in it. Unfortunately, it got postponed. I'm hearing scripts. I write poetry and I like to jot down my thoughts. They never seem to end though. And I'm a passionately inquisitive person. So there's never a dull moment in my life. Q: What are you looking for?A: I'll know when I get the next good offer. But whatever the role, lead or otherwise, it has to help me grow as an actor.
"My first on-screen kiss, and Konkona and I did it well, considering we did it in below-zero temperature in Switzerland with 50 people gawking," Kunal told IANS.This was Kunal's first family drama as well and he shared screen space with Rani Mukerji, Abhishek Bachchan and Jaya Bachchan in the film.His next is "Aaja Nachle". After that he doesn't have any films in hand, but the actor is chilled out. Kunal says films or no films, he is always occupied."I was supposed to do a play 'Baghdad Ka Ghulam' with Barry John. Unfortunately, it got postponed. I'm hearing scripts. I write poetry and I like to jot down my thoughts. And I'm a passionately inquisitive person. So there's never a dull moment in my life."Excerpts:Q: You do a lot of dancing in "Laaga Chunari Mein Daag" (LCMD)?A: I love dancing. But I'm not very good at it. I was intimidated by who I was dancing with. Abhishek and Rani are good dancers. Finally, they made it easier for me. But you know what? You don't necessarily have to be a pro at dancing to enjoy it. You've to be shameless before the camera. Q: You have a kissing scene with Konkona in LCMD?A: My first on-screen kiss and Konkona and I did it well, considering we did it in below-zero temperature in Switzerland with 50 people gawking. Q: Are you making excuses for bad kissing?A: Ha! No. Actually, I got good reactions to it.Q: You are a huge fan of Jaya Bachchan?A: Oh yes, and I couldn't believe it when I got to work with her. Jayaji fed us the best lunches on the sets. She used to bring lunch for 15 people. I eat enough for five people. When you grow up watching and admiring someone and then you get to work with her, the feeling is unbelievable. I got the same feeling when I worked with Aamir Khan. When we worked with him, we became friends. But even today when I look at the posters of "Rang De Basanti", I can't believe that's me with him. Q: LCMD is your first family film.A: Yeah, I guess my films so far have been unorthodox with me cast as a loner. But you know what? I'm a very family-oriented person. I've grown up watching the family films of Sooraj Barjatya and Yash Chopra. I haven't done a conventional family film before. Here the sharp editing and other technique add rather than take away from the main drama. Dada (Pradeep Sarkar) brings in a lot of technique without taking away from the main drama. Q: Good boy, that's you what you are supposed to say.A: No seriously. I wouldn't endorse a product I didn't believe in. If I don't like one of my films I'd keep quiet.Q: Like "Hattrick"?A: I don't know why this belief went around. I liked "Hattrick" and so did some people.Q: You're paired with Konkona again in "Aaja Nachle".A: Yeah. Konkona makes me feel like Salieri while she's Mozart. A third film with Konkona? I don't know... Q: Are you admitting Konkona is superior to you?A: That's an understatement. You know I'd come on the sets, do my rehearsals, get my lines right, be fully prepared. She'd just come on the sets, casually inquire about the scene, then read a book, and give a perfect shot.Q: What are you working on now?A: Nothing after "Aaja Nachle". I go by my instincts. It took me just a couple of minutes to say yes to LCMD and "Aaja Nachle". If I've to convince myself to do a film then it's not worth doing. Maybe I'm being naïve. But I really see no point in doing a film just to be busy.Q: What will you do in the coming months?A: I was supposed to do a play, "Baghdad Ka Ghulam", with Barry John. I had worked with Barry earlier and this play had Raghuvir Yadav in it. Unfortunately, it got postponed. I'm hearing scripts. I write poetry and I like to jot down my thoughts. They never seem to end though. And I'm a passionately inquisitive person. So there's never a dull moment in my life. Q: What are you looking for?A: I'll know when I get the next good offer. But whatever the role, lead or otherwise, it has to help me grow as an actor.
It's my goodwill versus big money: Shah Rukh
New Delhi, His "Om Shanti Om" is pitted against "Saawariya", which has Sony Pictures splurging big money on its publicity. But Shah Rukh Khan says no amount of money can surpass the goodwill he has created.
"After this film people will love me. And nobody is going to use the money to oust the goodness that I have created," Shah Rukh told IANS in a chat. "The filmmaking business is already an expensive thing but then there is a market that is getting you that money back. I don't think you need to spend money to make money. Having said that, yes, outside players like Sony Pictures and Columbia Tristar are hugely moneyed," Shah Rukh added.While "Om Shanti Om" has been produced under Shah Rukh's own banner, Red Chillies Entertainment, "Saawariya" has Hollywood studio Sony Pictures as co-producer. Both are releasing Nov 9.But Shah Rukh is all ready for the competition."You have to compete. And by god's grace after this film, I will have enough money to compete with them on money terms also."He candidly described his much talked about six-pack abs in the eagerly awaited "Om Shanti Om" as a marketing trick."The film is meant to be more celebrative and fun... I will not put it beyond the fact that it is a part of marketing to attract attention but it is also an inherent part of the story. It has a character that requires that kind of physique."But the superstar believes that more than marketing and stars it is content that dictates the success of a film."There is no denying that content is king. If you have good content in a film and you present it in whatever manner... whether it is 'Chak De! India', 'Om Shanti Om', 'Don' or 'Swades', I think at the end of it all, people only like good content," said Shah Rukh, who was in the capital for the Hindustan Times Leadership Summit."There is nothing beyond content - no stars, no marketing."Director Farah Khan has roped in 31 stars, including Jeetendra and Rekha, for a special song in "Om Shanti Om"."The film required a sequence with film actors because the film is about filmmaking. It makes it look more authentic. On the lighter side, it is very helpful if people like to come and see some items and stuff."The actor has plans to build his own studio. However, he will have to wait. "There is no place and nobody gives me the land! (Smiled)"
"After this film people will love me. And nobody is going to use the money to oust the goodness that I have created," Shah Rukh told IANS in a chat. "The filmmaking business is already an expensive thing but then there is a market that is getting you that money back. I don't think you need to spend money to make money. Having said that, yes, outside players like Sony Pictures and Columbia Tristar are hugely moneyed," Shah Rukh added.While "Om Shanti Om" has been produced under Shah Rukh's own banner, Red Chillies Entertainment, "Saawariya" has Hollywood studio Sony Pictures as co-producer. Both are releasing Nov 9.But Shah Rukh is all ready for the competition."You have to compete. And by god's grace after this film, I will have enough money to compete with them on money terms also."He candidly described his much talked about six-pack abs in the eagerly awaited "Om Shanti Om" as a marketing trick."The film is meant to be more celebrative and fun... I will not put it beyond the fact that it is a part of marketing to attract attention but it is also an inherent part of the story. It has a character that requires that kind of physique."But the superstar believes that more than marketing and stars it is content that dictates the success of a film."There is no denying that content is king. If you have good content in a film and you present it in whatever manner... whether it is 'Chak De! India', 'Om Shanti Om', 'Don' or 'Swades', I think at the end of it all, people only like good content," said Shah Rukh, who was in the capital for the Hindustan Times Leadership Summit."There is nothing beyond content - no stars, no marketing."Director Farah Khan has roped in 31 stars, including Jeetendra and Rekha, for a special song in "Om Shanti Om"."The film required a sequence with film actors because the film is about filmmaking. It makes it look more authentic. On the lighter side, it is very helpful if people like to come and see some items and stuff."The actor has plans to build his own studio. However, he will have to wait. "There is no place and nobody gives me the land! (Smiled)"