Raman Raghav 2.08 - Kashyap's Next
When Anurag Kashyap was making Bombay Velvet, it was initially based on the famous psycho killer Raman Raghav. But while he developed the script, that part was deleted. But the Raman Raghav story stayed with the director. Thing is, after the debacle of Bombay Velvet, the director faced much flak from the critics as well as the audience. As a result, Kashyap has decided to go back to his roots and make small-budget films.
Now we hear he is making a small movie on a schedule of 20 days and that it's based on the same Raman Raghav played by Nawazuddin Siddiqui. We also hear that the film is called Raman Raghav 2.08.
Moving On
Happy Ending, which was ready in the first half of 2014, released in October 2014. After that, the director duo, Raj Nidimoru and Krishna DK, finished scripting Farzi, one of their most anticipated films. The directors had signed Shahid Kapoor and Kriti Sanon to play the lead. But, as we all know, Kapoor kept them on hold and will start Rangoon first. Since the director duo doesn't want to compromise on their directorial venture, they have started working on a small-budget film which they will produce by themselves. If things work out later, they will start rolling Farzi with Kapoor and Sanon. Watch this space for more announcements!
Aanand L Rai's Next
Aanand L Rai has decided to go all out with his Colour Yellow Productions. The next film to roll under his production banner is Happy Bhaag Jayegi featuring Abhay Deol, Diana Penty, Ali Fazal and Pakistani actress Momal Sheikh. It will be directed by Mudassar Aziz. The film goes on the floors mid-September.
But all eyes are on another film from his banner, which soon goes on the floors, and that's the remake of Tamil film Vela Illa Pattadhaari aka VIP. Yes, the director has bought the rights to Dhanush-starrer Vela Illa Pattadhaari, which he will co-produce with Dhanush. Velraj, the original director of the Tamil hit, will make his debut with the Hindi film. The film starts rolling in January 2016. We hear that the makers will launch a new face in this film.
Rao To Play Maobadi?
Rajkummar Rao, has signed Amit Masurkar's nextNewton, a dark comedy which we hear will be shot in Kashmir. Rao had earlier said the title has nothing to do with the famous scientist, Sir Isaac Newton. A source close to the film reveals, "The film will be shot in Kashmir and is based on Maobadi (Maoist), a set of people who believe in communist rule. The film starts rolling by the end of this year. It's very different from Amit's last film, Sulemaani Keeda, which was based on struggling Bollywood writers." The film is being produced by Manish Mundra's Drishyam Films.
Now Awara Paagal Deewana Returns
After the success of Welcome Back at the box office, we hear that Firoz A Nadiadwallah has asked his team to start working on the Awara Paagal Deewana sequel with John Abraham. A source close to the production house reveals, "Firoz had a meeting with John Abraham before he left for Budapest for Force 2. Once he wrapsForce 2 and Hera Pheri 3, the producer-actor will team up for the third time for yet another sequel, Awara Paagal Deewana Returns. The film will go on the floors only at the end of next year, once Abraham finishes all his other commitments."
It seems Nadiadwallah has decided to make sequels to all his Akshay Kumar films with Abraham. We also hear that from the original star cast, the filmmaker will be repeating Suniel Shetty and Aftab Shivdasani. The producer is also in talks with directors to helm the sequel.
Something About GoW 3
There's a lot of buzz around the third instalment ofGangs Of Wasseypur, which will be directed by Zeishan Quadri and produced by the original director Anurag Kashyap. We hear the film will start with Faisal's childhood (played by Nawazuddin Siddiqui) and we will also see the growing up years of Definite Khan (Zeishan Quadri). No, we will not see either Quadri or Siddiqui in the third instalment; instead, the film will feature a new face. But, of course, we will see Piyush Mishra playing a prominent part in the film.
It's Called Flirt'
Atul Agnihotri is gearing up for his next production titled Flirt, a young love story. The film will mark the debut of television director Jay Verma. A source close to the film reveals, "Atul heard the script, loved it and decided to go on the floors soon. It's a young love story with a twist. The film will be co-produced by Rishi Kawatra. It's a medium-budget film, which will see new faces making their debut."
Guess Who?
This filmmaker is known to take his own sweet time to make films, whether he's directing or producing. He is also known to have a hand in every department, from scripting to shooting to editing. The last film he made, which wrapped last year, featured big stars. But, as always, he was not happy with the result so he decided to postpone the release date as he wanted more time. Although the actors have moved on, the technicians of the film are stuck and are losing big projects coming their way as they have been asked not to take up anything unless it's up for release. Oops!
Guess Who?
So there's this big production house, which was known to shoot their films overseas, against the backdrop of snowcapped mountains and also for their big-budget films. Well, they are also known to make films with big stars. It seems like no one knows the business as well as they do, and whatever they make is usually profitable for them. Now since last year, the production house decided to make small-budget films with new faces and not-so-big stars. But now they have signed the biggest star we have in the country, who is known to choose his own team. We hear the actor is charging a bomb, and to keep the production budget in check, the makers are hiring technicians who charge less. We hear that the director has also asked his assistants to reduce their fees a little so that he gets a free hand to direct the film. Hmm.
Seeing Is Believing - Aena Mahal
It would be an understatement to say that the name Sanjay Leela Bhansali is synonymous with larger-than-life cinema and grandeur. And to surprise us, we were invited (not just us but other journalists too) for the first time to witness the grandeur and his labour of love for one of the songs from his most ambitious movie to date, Bajirao Mastani.
And, trust us, as soon as you enter the set, you are transported back a couple of hundred years, to the era of the Peshwas, each one of them dressed just as we saw them in the history books. Take a bow, Mr Bhansali, you've done it once again!
Your journey back in time is broken by the arrival of Deepika Padukone, who - and we can't stress this enough - is looking gorgeous. But before you can comment on her look or the set, the actress says, "You're seeing the set for the first time, Vajir, but you know what, I am here every day and I am still awed. And you feel great when you're performing on such a set under the master craftsman Sanjay sir." We totally agree.
Padukone is glowing, not only because she is a part of Bajirao Mastani or is playing Mastani, or is working with Bhansali again. As a performer, she is thrilled to be a part of a project that will be remembered for years and years to come.
Next, you meet the ever-smiling Bhansali (I've never met him when he's in a bad mood although I've heard lots of stories!), and he says, "How are you?" He doesn't say anything about the set or the movie; obviously he wants the visitor to gauge on his own. After a brief chat, he leaves you to soak it all in, including the dance step the dancers are rehearsing with Padukone.
Later, you meet Peshwa Bajirao. Wait, isn't that Ranveer Singh? No, it's Peshwa Bajirao... Yup, that's the kind of impact Bhansali, his sets and his cast have on you.
Priyanka Chopra, who has come all the way from Canada to shoot her portion for the song, seems excited despite the jet lag. "It is always fun to shoot with Sanjay sir, and just look at the set he's created. I have enjoyed every bit of the shoot I did for this movie, which will be an experience for the audience when it releases."
Something about the set: This time, Bhansali has outdone himself by creating what might be his most extravagant set yet. He has recreated Aena Mahal, on the lines of the Mughal-e-Azam set, which was covered in dazzling mirrors. After the cult film, it is the most expensive set he's ever built. The set, which took over 45 days to create, has been designed by Sujit Sriram and Saloni with the mirrors being brought in from Jaipur, each one handpicked by the creative maverick himself.
And get this - over 20,000 intricately designed mirrors have been used to assemble this massive, 12,500 sq ft set. Special craftsmen were summoned from Jaipur to work on embedding the mirrors to maintain authenticity. The really jaw-dropping thing about the set is that from a certain angle, light reflects off every one of those 20,000 mirrors! As if that was not enough, the set also boasts 13 chandeliers, which light up with candles, not light bulbs. Can't get more wow than that, can it?
Anupamaa
Health and Fitness
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