Big B says yes to a movie after UTV opts out

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Sultan_Of_Swing

@Sultan_Of_Swing

Sparkler

+ 7

Posted: 13 years ago

Big B says 'yes' to Mehrunissa, but only after UTV opts out

Subhash K Jha

Posted On Tuesday, February 07, 2012 at 02:04:42 AM

Sudhir Mishra and Nikhil Advani's Mehrunissa had everything in place. But one major ingredient was still missing without which, Mishra's recipe was incomplete. Amitabh Bachchan. Mumbai Mirror has learnt that the Big B has finally given his nod of approval to the film.

Acquiring Big B's approval has not come easy. Writer-producer Advani and director Sudhir Mishra have had to give up their possible alliance with UTV in the process.

According to sources from the industry, the Bachchans have decided to stay away from UTV projects ever since Aishwarya Rai was replaced by Kareena Kapoor in Madhur Bhandarkar's Heroine. "Neither Amitji nor Abhishek have ever indicated their non-acceptance of any project on the basis of the production house. However, the facts reveal that they have maintained their distance from UTV produced ventures. Abhishek, for instance couldn't be persuaded to star in Raj Kumar Gupta's satirical musical Ghanchakkar produced by UTV. Also, Amitji never really committed to Mehrunissa until UTV was out of the picture," explained a source.

Apparently, the film was created keeping Amitabh Bachchan and Rishi Kapoor in mind. Even though Bachchan had not said 'yes' to the project, the crew was ready to shoot in Lucknow with Rishi Kapoor a few months back. "We're ready to shoot with Amitji and Chintuji. But Amitji has still not said a final 'yes'. We thought he was not signing new projects, but then he signed another film and we were seriously worried," a crewmember had earlier conveyed the team's anxiety.

However, with Bachchan finally accepting the offer, the film's schedule are now in place. And the 'acceptance' has come in the wake of UTV opting out as the co-producer of the project. The film will now be co-produced by DAR Motion Pictures and Advani. UTV's Siddharth Roy Kapoor remained unavailable for comment.

http://mumbaimirror.com/article/30/2012020720120207020459134da9c8c35/Big-B-says-%E2%80%98yes%E2%80%99-to-Mehrunissa-but-only-after-UTV-opts-out.html

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TallyHo

@TallyHo

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+ 2

Posted: 13 years ago

When will this " Heroine' Saga end??😕

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Sultan_Of_Swing

@Sultan_Of_Swing

Sparkler

+ 7

Posted: 13 years ago

Not until the movie releases, I guess. The Bachchans are know to hold on to their grudges for a long time. Given that it was Ash who threw a spanner in the shooting by getting pregnant, not sure why UTV should be held responsible.

How can a pregnant woman act the role of a heroine in the path of self destruction?

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TallyHo

@TallyHo

Rocker

+ 2

Posted: 13 years ago

Originally posted by: Naach_Basanti
Not until the movie releases, I guess. The Bachchans are know to hold on to their grudges for a long time. Given that it was Ash who threw a spanner in the shooting by getting pregnant, not sure why UTV should be held responsible.

How can a pregnant woman act the role of a heroine in the path of self destruction?

I know... such nakhras, uff!!!😆

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401366

Suspended

Posted: 13 years ago

Big B says 'Yes, I do!' to Mehrunissa, but only after her talaq with UTV.

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@DB_reloaded

Trailblazer

+ 5

Posted: 13 years ago

Big b has reached dat position nw dat everythin he does shud b respected no way we all respect u bt more often den nt u come with doing sth silly, defending abhi n all dat...big b plzz get over ur egos ...

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Kal El

@Kal El

Rocker

+ 2

Posted: 13 years ago

MiD DAY has a different story 😆

[quote]

Fighting over 'Mehrunissa'?

By: Mauli Singh

Date: 2012-02-07

Apparently a disagreement over who to cast as the female lead has cost UTV a film

Producer Nikhil Advani has gone ahead and collaborated with DAR Motion Pictures for co-producing Sudhir Mishra's magnum opus Mehrunissa starring Amitabh Bachchan and Rishi Kapoor. UTV was earlier supposed to produce this film.

Chitrangada Singh

Has there been a fallout between Nikhil and UTV? Our source says, "Though we don't know the real reason but there is definitely no fallout.

Nikhil is producing another film with them." The source however adds, "There was a divided opinion on who to cast as Mehrunnisa. UTV was insisting to cast Katrina Kaif but Nikhil and Sudhir were not convinced.

We wonder if that is the reason for Nikhil opting out and collaborating with other producer because he wanted more creative freedom." The source also says that the buzz about Sudhir's muse Chitrangada Singh playing the lead character is untrue.

The film marks a comeback of the legendary actors Amitabh Bachchan and Rishi Kapoor together after 28 years. The source adds, "Mehrunissa is a much classier version of Bade Miyan Chhote Miyan with the same humour but a lot of nawabi romance thrown into it."

Nikhil Advani, confirms, "Mehrunissa is very close to our hearts. Being one of the most interesting and challenging films coming out of our banner this year meant that it was essential that our partner's sensibilities, vision, values, etc.

were completely in sync with Sudhir and us. Our decision to partner with DAR was in this very spirit." But Nikhil chose to be silent when asked about why it didn't work out with UTV.

About the film
The epic love story, which was kept on the backburner for 15 years is set during the 1947 Partition. The film is about a girl who drives a wedge in the 50-year-old friendship between two friends essayed by Big B and Rishi Kapoor.[/quote]

http://www.mid-day.com/entertainment/2012/feb/070212-Fighting-over-Mehrunissa.htm

I dunno what is the truth but maybe it's for the best that UTV is gone if they really wanted Katrina. Really? Kat? C'mon now. 😆

Regardless of the behind-the-scenes drama, I think it will be nice to see Big B and Rishi back together again. Hope it turns out to be a good film. 😊

Edited by Kal El - 13 years ago

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TheRager

@TheRager

Achiever

+ 4

Posted: 13 years ago

If the Bachchans are boycotting UTV then they are being really stupid. Almost every other A list film is tied up with UTV or Reliance. Maybe they no longer want to remain A listers.

If Sudhir stuck to his original casting choice and still found a financer then good for him. But Katrina can surely guarantee a good opening. With Big B, Rishi and Chitrangadha the film will have the same fate as BHTB.