Today's (5 July, 2010) Bollywood News

People connected with the trade admit that a few Bollywood producers are out to create a monopoly at the box office where they are paying off and even arm-twisting smaller film-makers into not releasing their films during the week that bigger films release.

"There have been several recent instances of a smaller film snatching away the audience that the big release would have otherwise got. So, when the word gets out on a Friday that a big release is not good enough, the audience goes for whatever else is available at the box office. The smaller film hence starts eating into the audience of a bigger film. The big players want to prevent that from happening," says a producer who was forced to push back a release date because of a 'bigger' producer.

Vinayak Azad, former Censor Board official of the western region, admits, "The release dates have become all-important for a film and there have been many instances where we have got only one week to clear the film simply because it has to be released on a particular Friday. We have come across instances where a producer could not release a long-awaited film on a date in spite of being cleared by us because there was a big release lined up on that date. I think it makes business sense," says Azad.

Filmmaker Madhur Bhandarkar also admits to this trend but adds that there are times when the small producer voluntarily opts out of the scene. "It happens because nobody wants competition at the box office. Sometimes the smaller producer looks for a khaali week to get the film across. I also faced the same situation with my movie Jail when people told me not to release my film along with the other two films because mine was a dark film. I still went ahead and clashed and had a worthy winner in Azab Prem Ki Ghazab Kahani," he says.

Film-maker Subhash Ghai furthers, "We face a very hard time looking for a release date. Nobody wants competition at the box office specially when you already have competition. If the film does not score 70% in its opening weekend, it is known as a flop."

Link https://www.dnaindia.com/entertainment/report_what-happens-behind-the-scenes-in-bollywood_1405469

Already a successful model in the fashion world, Anushka shifted to Mumbai ever since she started working for a Yashraj film, Rab Ne Bana Di Jodi, which also starred Shah Rukh Khan. She is currently the only newcomer who has got two back-to-back hits in her kitty.

"I have started liking the monsoon ever since I moved to Mumbai. It's only here that I have realised what a big part it plays in the lives of Mumbaikars and how they look forward to the rains," she says. She also drools on the weather of Bangalore which has a temperate climate all through the year.

"Coming from Bangalore as I do, the weather there is pretty pleasant right through the year, but here the rains are a welcome relief after summer," she adds.

The beauty also reveals that she loves going on long drives during the rains even though a majority of Mumbaikars, unlike her, would choose to stay indoors when it rains in Mumbai. Trust Anushka to be quite the opposite and have an adventurous streak inside her.

"I like going on long drives during the rains. Rains have a calming effect on the city and that's what I love," she ends.

Link https://www.dnaindia.com/entertainment/report_anushka-sharma-on-her-love-for-the-monsoons-in-mumbai_1405486

Karan Johar is mighty excited with the way I Hate Luv Storys has opened at the box office. A romcom that was never touted to be the kind of cinema that was out of the ordinary, this Punit Malhotra directed film has found good acceptance amongst the audience.

Karan too must be heaving a sigh of relief since both his leading actors, Imran and Sonam, were coming with a baggage of a couple of disappointments each. While Imran's last two films Kidnap and Luck were action affairs and didn't find patronage amongst the audience, it wasn't quite a conventional start for Sonam either after Saawariya and Delhi 6 not quite hitting the bull's eye.

"Well, I truly believe that hits and flops don't have anything to do with talent of an actor", says Karan who trusted in both Imran and Sonam even as the chips were down for them, "So many factors contribute to hits and successes. Imran was sweet and endearing in Jaane Tu… Ya Jaane Na while Sonam was confidence personified in Delhi 6."

No wonder, he didn't have any questions around the casting when director Punit Malhotra recommended the two names.

"It was entirely Punit's decision to go with Imran and Sonam. In any case, I don't inflict my opinion on my directors when it comes to casting", continues Karan, "A film has to be as per the vision of the filmmaker. Once Punit mentioned Imran and Sonam, I was all for it. I had complete faith in the two actors. Now that the film has released, their comfort level with the romcom genre shows on screen."

Every love story is bound to be aided by some great music and this is something that has come for all around appreciation in case of I Hate Luv Storys. It is being unanimously accepted that music by Vishal & Shekhar is one of the major cores strengths of the film.

"That's right, music is indeed the highlight of IHLS; it is indeed great", Karan gives out a nod of appreciation here, "What is really terrific about Vishal-Shekhar is that they work really work with first time directors. I have noticed that earlier in case of Dostana too where they gave full hearted support to Tarun Mansukhani. They give you a lot of time and that is their biggest strength that I have always appreciated. It's an amazing quality as they don't just give you a lot of respect; they are also willing to go all out for you. If you reject 10 tunes for a situation, they would come up with the 11th. They don't loose patience."

Link https://www.bollywoodhungama.com/features/2010/07/05/6406/index.html