Starting his modest innings in theatre, Shah Rukh Khan came a long way as he metamorphosed from a one-time soap star to the King Khan of Bollywood. Nevertheless, it seems SRK is following the footsteps of Big B, for the actor is all set to make his foray into dubbing studio.
News has it that Shah Rukh Khan will lend his vocals for Karan Johar`s much-awaited flick ‘I Hate Luv Storys.’
Talking to a news daily, a source said, "It was a last minute decision to use SRK`s voice. Karan wanted a simple narration for the film. So, he requested SRK. It is believed SRK is not too keen on giving voice-overs. He has turned down requests by many filmmakers. But with Karan, it is different and he could not refuse."
"SRK`s voice will be used in the first five minutes of the movie when its lead cast is introduced," the source added.
Directed by Punit Malhotra, ‘I Hate Luv Storys’ stars Imran Khan and Sonam Kapoor.
Speaking about the relevance of SRK’s voiceover in the film, Punit said that there are several instances in the film where references are drawn from SRK’s films, thereby making his voice all the more important.
(spicezee.zeenews.com)
Welcome to News Blog of Karan Johar where you will catch every buzz and rumor about India's No.1 Director and his producion house - Dharma Productions.
Image : Dharma Productions
Wednesday, May 26, 2010
Karan Johar's Stepmom remake's release date yet to be finalised
When 1st October release date for the Stepmom remake was announced, a section of industry was surprised. Reason being that the date falls during 'shraadh', a time period when majority of makers stay away from releasing their films. It sounded unbelievable that a big film like Stepmom remake with Karan Johar at the helm of affairs would indeed think of arriving during 'shraddh'.
However as it has turned out, 1st October is a tentative timeline and a final call would be taken in due course of time.
"1st October is not the final date for the release of my film", assures Karan who is currently stationed in USA, "It is currently tentative and we would be in a position to talk about the new release date, if at all that turns out to be the case, pretty soon."
Siddharth Roy Kapoor, CEO, UTV Motion Pictures admits that 1st October is the date which has been pencilled in for Stepmom remake. However, he doesn't shy away from the fact that this release date is open to change.
"Currently the release date is 1st October but we along with Sony Pictures and Dharma Productions would take a joint call if the release plans change. Yes, this is a tentative date but one thing is for sure that the film will arrive in October", he confirms.
Meanwhile Karan too is sure that if the 'shraadh' period indeed falls around 1st October, he won't bring his film in.
"That's right, the film will certainly not release during 'shraadh'", he says.
Meanwhile, the title of the film is yet to be finalised. "Yeah, that's right, we are still calling it as Stepmom remake but are yet to pencil in on the final title", he informs.
The film has been in news ever since it was announced more than a year back. With an unusual and fresh pairing of Kareena Kapoor, Kajol and Arjun Rampal, the film is helmed by first timer Siddharth Malhotra.
(Bollywood Hungama)
However as it has turned out, 1st October is a tentative timeline and a final call would be taken in due course of time.
"1st October is not the final date for the release of my film", assures Karan who is currently stationed in USA, "It is currently tentative and we would be in a position to talk about the new release date, if at all that turns out to be the case, pretty soon."
Siddharth Roy Kapoor, CEO, UTV Motion Pictures admits that 1st October is the date which has been pencilled in for Stepmom remake. However, he doesn't shy away from the fact that this release date is open to change.
"Currently the release date is 1st October but we along with Sony Pictures and Dharma Productions would take a joint call if the release plans change. Yes, this is a tentative date but one thing is for sure that the film will arrive in October", he confirms.
Meanwhile Karan too is sure that if the 'shraadh' period indeed falls around 1st October, he won't bring his film in.
"That's right, the film will certainly not release during 'shraadh'", he says.
Meanwhile, the title of the film is yet to be finalised. "Yeah, that's right, we are still calling it as Stepmom remake but are yet to pencil in on the final title", he informs.
The film has been in news ever since it was announced more than a year back. With an unusual and fresh pairing of Kareena Kapoor, Kajol and Arjun Rampal, the film is helmed by first timer Siddharth Malhotra.
(Bollywood Hungama)
Sonam Kapoor's 'Luv Storys'
The rom-com is produced by Karan Johar and directed by Manish Malhotra's nephew Punit Malhotra.
(Rediff)
I Hate Luv Storys doesn't mock Bollywood: Imran
He achieved heartthrob status with his debut in the hit romcom Jaane Tu Ya Jaane Naa and Imran Khan is returning to the genre with I Hate Luv Storys (IHLS), which he says is a parody of all things Bollywood.
Though Imran's new film pokes fun at the "cheesy" treatment given to love stories in Hindi cinema, the actor says that the film does not take a condescending look at Bollywood, instead the laughters come from the fact that everyone loves the much derided cliches.
"IHLS is a self parody and we are not shying away from admitting that. See, the fact is that there is a tendency amongst a lot of people in the industry to say that the song and dance routine is passe. It is something that I have never understood," the actor told PTI.
The Karan Johar production, directed by debutante Punit Malhotra sees Imran pair up with Sonam Kapoor, who plays a die-hard filmi romantic.
If promos are any indication, the film makes an unabashed statement about the song, dance, mush and romance in Bollywood. But he is all for more song and dance in films, said the 27-year-old actor.
Infact, Imran is of the opinion that Bollywood does not need to be apologetic about it's song and dance routines and stick to it's entertainment value.
"We are making films for the Indian industry so why not just make it the way everyone loves them? If we are making Hindi films with all the songs and dances then why be apologetic? We should be proud of what we are doing and only aspire to do something better. Let's work further on getting some more amazing music and amazing dance numbers but let's not do away with them please," he said.
(HT)
(Press Trust Of India)
Though Imran's new film pokes fun at the "cheesy" treatment given to love stories in Hindi cinema, the actor says that the film does not take a condescending look at Bollywood, instead the laughters come from the fact that everyone loves the much derided cliches.
"IHLS is a self parody and we are not shying away from admitting that. See, the fact is that there is a tendency amongst a lot of people in the industry to say that the song and dance routine is passe. It is something that I have never understood," the actor told PTI.
The Karan Johar production, directed by debutante Punit Malhotra sees Imran pair up with Sonam Kapoor, who plays a die-hard filmi romantic.
If promos are any indication, the film makes an unabashed statement about the song, dance, mush and romance in Bollywood. But he is all for more song and dance in films, said the 27-year-old actor.
Infact, Imran is of the opinion that Bollywood does not need to be apologetic about it's song and dance routines and stick to it's entertainment value.
"We are making films for the Indian industry so why not just make it the way everyone loves them? If we are making Hindi films with all the songs and dances then why be apologetic? We should be proud of what we are doing and only aspire to do something better. Let's work further on getting some more amazing music and amazing dance numbers but let's not do away with them please," he said.
(HT)
(Press Trust Of India)
Look who's imitating Karan Johar
I HATE LUV STORYS has a backdrop of film industry and in this romantic comedy helmed by first time director Punit Malhotra, there is a character which has been modelled on the lines of Karan Johar. It is a known fact that Karan is the producer of IHLS while Punit has assisted him since the days of KABHI KHUSHI KABHIE GHAM. This is the reason why it comes as no surprise to see Punit paying homage of sorts to Karan with his decision.
'Yes, I know that Sameer Soni is playing a film maker in IHLS. I can sense that it's a take off on me though Punit is not admitting it', smiles Karan while revealing the character in the newest romcom which is all set to hit the screens soon.
Well, in any case, IHLS is a breezy and fun film and something like this could have been expected. The film has a male protagonist played by Imran Khan who doesn't believe in love as seen in Bollywood films. However, his friend Sonam Kapoor has grown on Bollywood cinema.
'This guy can't believe that anyone can actually buy into such stories', explains Karan, 'However, when elements of such stories itself happen to him, he sees it for himself. There are these little cliches from the world of films that touch his life as well.'
IHLS also stars Sameer Dattani in a principal role along with Bruna Abdullah. A co-production of Karan Johar and Ronnie Screwvala of UTV Motion Pictures, IHLS has music by Vishal-Shekhar and releases all over on 2nd July.
(glamsham)
'Yes, I know that Sameer Soni is playing a film maker in IHLS. I can sense that it's a take off on me though Punit is not admitting it', smiles Karan while revealing the character in the newest romcom which is all set to hit the screens soon.
Well, in any case, IHLS is a breezy and fun film and something like this could have been expected. The film has a male protagonist played by Imran Khan who doesn't believe in love as seen in Bollywood films. However, his friend Sonam Kapoor has grown on Bollywood cinema.
'This guy can't believe that anyone can actually buy into such stories', explains Karan, 'However, when elements of such stories itself happen to him, he sees it for himself. There are these little cliches from the world of films that touch his life as well.'
IHLS also stars Sameer Dattani in a principal role along with Bruna Abdullah. A co-production of Karan Johar and Ronnie Screwvala of UTV Motion Pictures, IHLS has music by Vishal-Shekhar and releases all over on 2nd July.
(glamsham)
'I Hate Luv Storys' is already a hit
Before going through the ultimate litmus test at box office, a movie goes through a lot of promotion that in a way assures its success. But it seems that for the movie I Hate Luv Storys finding a way to audience’s heart is a cake walk.
Till now only a trailer and some stills of the movie are out but the response to the movie on the networking sites like Twitter and Facebook is tremendous. The film has almost 5,505 fans on Facebook and a list of 1,203 followers on Twitter in just seven days from the launch of the official IHLS page.
The stars of the film Imran Khan and Sonam Kapoor are personally taking care of the online promotion of the film. It was Imran who first launched the first look of the film on Twitter and Sonam recently tweeted, “Thank you guys for the great response to the ihls promotional stuff... its really heartening.”
The movie, made under the banner of Karan Johar’s Dharma Productions, is releasing on July 2.
(apunkachoice)
Till now only a trailer and some stills of the movie are out but the response to the movie on the networking sites like Twitter and Facebook is tremendous. The film has almost 5,505 fans on Facebook and a list of 1,203 followers on Twitter in just seven days from the launch of the official IHLS page.
The stars of the film Imran Khan and Sonam Kapoor are personally taking care of the online promotion of the film. It was Imran who first launched the first look of the film on Twitter and Sonam recently tweeted, “Thank you guys for the great response to the ihls promotional stuff... its really heartening.”
The movie, made under the banner of Karan Johar’s Dharma Productions, is releasing on July 2.
(apunkachoice)
MNIK DVD in US
After setting a new record for the biggest weekend Bollywood opening film in North America, Shah Rukh Khan-starrer My Name Is Khan is being released on DVD in the United States on August 10.
The DVD release by Twentieth Century Fox Home Entertainment is timed to India’s Independence Day and showcases the changing face of Bollywood, the enamouring on-screen partnership of Khan and Kajol, behind-the-scenes featurettes, music from the film, and more.
(HT)
(Press Trust Of India)
The DVD release by Twentieth Century Fox Home Entertainment is timed to India’s Independence Day and showcases the changing face of Bollywood, the enamouring on-screen partnership of Khan and Kajol, behind-the-scenes featurettes, music from the film, and more.
(HT)
(Press Trust Of India)
KJo alone on B'day
The hordes of friends, well-wishers, and fans who call and message Karan Johar every year on his birthday on May 25 might not get a response from the gregarious director this year, like they usually do .
For the first time in his life, the 37-year-old director won’t be in Mumbai with family and friends to bring in his birthday. Karan, who is in an introspective mood, has voluntarily decided to be all alone this birthday.
Karan, who is currently in New York, has decided to shut out the world so that he can think about his life and future as a filmmaker.
He says, “I woke up one day here in New York to realise with a shock that I will be 38 in a few days. In two years I’ll hit the crucial 40s. Am I happy with the quality of my life and work? What kind of friends do I want to preserve in my life? And what sort of movies do I want to make?”
It’s for this precise reason that Karan has put on hold all plans to script his next film for which he had gone to New York in the first place.
“After My Name Is Khan I decided I’d never again do a fluffy film. But on second thoughts I needed a change of pace, so I thought I’d write a light film. But I wonder, do I have it in me to be light any more? I should let the young boys making films for my production company do all the light fun films, like Punit Malhotra’s I Hate Luv Storys, which I can’t direct at this stage of my life.”
For now, Karan doesn’t know what he’d like to direct. And until the churning within him stops, he won’t resume scripting his next film.
He refuses to comment on the speculation back home regarding his proposed film with Shah Rukh Khan and Ranbir Kapoor. He asks, “When there’s no script, no film, how can there be a cast?”
One thing Karan is sure of is that Shah Rukh Khan would continue to be a constant in his life, no matter how hard troublemakers try to drive a wedge in their friendship. “Ours is a non-wedge relationship,” he quips showing his trademark wicked sense of humour for the first time during this conversation.
Karan adds, “At the moment, for the first time, I’m enjoying being all alone here in New York just introspecting. I speak to my mom twice a day, and that’s all the connect with home I need at the moment.”
Undoubtedly this would be Karan’s most solitary birthday in all these years.
“I may not even surface that day. I just may choose to be somewhere very far away from the public eye. I’ve always been in company. For the first time on my birthday, I am enjoying my own company. It isn’t so bad after all,” he says.
(TOI)
For the first time in his life, the 37-year-old director won’t be in Mumbai with family and friends to bring in his birthday. Karan, who is in an introspective mood, has voluntarily decided to be all alone this birthday.
Karan, who is currently in New York, has decided to shut out the world so that he can think about his life and future as a filmmaker.
He says, “I woke up one day here in New York to realise with a shock that I will be 38 in a few days. In two years I’ll hit the crucial 40s. Am I happy with the quality of my life and work? What kind of friends do I want to preserve in my life? And what sort of movies do I want to make?”
It’s for this precise reason that Karan has put on hold all plans to script his next film for which he had gone to New York in the first place.
“After My Name Is Khan I decided I’d never again do a fluffy film. But on second thoughts I needed a change of pace, so I thought I’d write a light film. But I wonder, do I have it in me to be light any more? I should let the young boys making films for my production company do all the light fun films, like Punit Malhotra’s I Hate Luv Storys, which I can’t direct at this stage of my life.”
For now, Karan doesn’t know what he’d like to direct. And until the churning within him stops, he won’t resume scripting his next film.
He refuses to comment on the speculation back home regarding his proposed film with Shah Rukh Khan and Ranbir Kapoor. He asks, “When there’s no script, no film, how can there be a cast?”
One thing Karan is sure of is that Shah Rukh Khan would continue to be a constant in his life, no matter how hard troublemakers try to drive a wedge in their friendship. “Ours is a non-wedge relationship,” he quips showing his trademark wicked sense of humour for the first time during this conversation.
Karan adds, “At the moment, for the first time, I’m enjoying being all alone here in New York just introspecting. I speak to my mom twice a day, and that’s all the connect with home I need at the moment.”
Undoubtedly this would be Karan’s most solitary birthday in all these years.
“I may not even surface that day. I just may choose to be somewhere very far away from the public eye. I’ve always been in company. For the first time on my birthday, I am enjoying my own company. It isn’t so bad after all,” he says.
(TOI)
Thursday, May 13, 2010
First Look - I Hate Luv Storys
Shot in New Zealand, the film I Hate Luv Storys is about two young people - if the girl is a romantic soul, the boy is a cynic. And then, as a matter of film-fact, they meet and fall in love. Directed by newcomer Punit Malhotra and produced by Karan Johar, the movie is a date flick starring Sonam Kapoor and Imran Khan.
For Sonam, it was quite an experience to work for the first time with Dharma Productions and she is also glad to get the chance to play the character of Simran in the film, as she herself is a very romantic girl. While for Imran, who plays Jay, a womanizer, it was an exciting experience because the cast and the crew (including the director) had many young faces. And they all got along like a house on fire.
Sonam has even reportedly cut short her long mane to get the uber chic look for the film and Imran has attained a lean, sexy look to play an incorrigible flirt. The movie has music by Vishal-Shekhar, and costumes are designed by Manish Malhotra, who is also Punit’s uncle.
Here is the first look of the film that releases on July 2
(apunkachoice)
Karan Johar on MNIK Box office and beyond
'MNIK is highest grossing Hindi film outside India'
Karan Johar, one of the most successful directors in India with all the four films directed by him starting with Kuch Kuch Hota Hai in 1998 is a super hit, was in America recently for the launch of the international edition of his biggest, My Name Is Khan.
But directing films is one of his several passions, he says. "I like to see directors and writers get a break through the films I produce," he says.
Though the films directed or produced by him have featured some of the best known artists in India including Amitabh Bachchan [ Images ] and his son Abishek, it is his association with Shah Rukh Khan [ Images ], who is there in the lead in all four films directed by him, has made movie history.
"When Karan says he has a film for me, I don't even ask for the script," Shah Rukh has said.
When My Name Is Khan opened over two months ago, there were some people and trade analysts in India who wrote that it had collapsed in the second week.
The film has grossed over $39 million worldwide; it is the highest grossing Hindi film outside India. We may reach $40 million. It is doing great as a DVD despite piracy in India. We have added over 20 minutes of deleted scenes.
Much of its success came from abroad.
Yes but it is also a huge hit in India. It was particularly strong in the United Kingdom grossing over $4 million. In fact, in the United Kingdom the three top-grossing films are directed by me.
MNIK did better business in the UK than 3 Idiots. And MNIK is still running in more than 100 theatres worldwide. We have just opened the international director's cut in America targeted at the non-diasporic audiences in America, showing the film first in New York and Los Angeles, and if it does well, expanding it to other cities.
What is the big difference between the director's cut and the standard edition?
[Chuckles] Fox Searchlight (the international distributor for the film) has edited out nearly half an hour from the original and they have done an excellent job. I was fully aware of the process and I was pleased to see the new version. Brevity may not be my forte. It is theirs.
Going back to India and the performance of MNIK there ...
We are surprised that it did beyond our expectations. This is not the usual masala film. This is not even a typical Karan Johar [ Images ] film. It is more thought provoking and deeply psychological film than anything I have done before. As I have said before, making this film make me grow more as a person than ever before.
What did Fox Searchlight do to this film that an Indian distributor could not do in the foreign markets?
Because of its vast network, Fox was able to show this film in the best of the theatres worldwide from Canada [ Images ] to Poland to Indonesia. Even in countries where Indian films are very popular but not well distributed, Fox did a remarkable job. From Egypt [ Images ] to Jordan to Malaysia, the film has performed strongly to a large extent because of the Fox distribution strategy and its ability to engage leading film writers in various countries to run stories on My Name Is Khan.
What are some of the territories have surprised you?
Indonesia, in particular. If a Hindi language film grossed about $75,000 there, it is considered excellent but our film struck a chord, and it became a sleeper hit grossing over $1.6 million.
In many Muslim countries, people were moved by what this film is trying to do: to remove a generalized, stereotype depiction of a religion. But extension, it speaks for any religion that is misunderstood an vilified. It offers a human message and it touches your heart.
I believe the film is enjoying a good run in Poland.
It grossed about $75,000 in its first week which is very good for a territory like Poland. I believe the second week is even stronger.
Playing a devil's advocate. Why would anyone care to see your film in Poland which has no history of watching Hindi films in big numbers?
My Name Is Khan is about humanity. It is a film about times and unfolds against the background of today's headlines. But above all, it is a film about the triumphant of goodness.
Are you working with Fox soon?
Right now I don't have any project but who knows what could happen tomorrow? Fox welcomed Dharma Productions and me as if we were family members. And surely if there is a project that interests a Hollywood studio, Fox would welcome us again.
Dharma has given a break to many directors
That is our pride. Last year we made Wake Up Sid [ Images ] directed by Ayan Mukherjee. Soon we have Punit Malhotra-directed I Hate Love Stories with Imran Khan [ Images ] and Sonam in release. I believe it is a sweet and funny film.
What is I Hate Love Stories about?
It is about this guy who hates Hindi movie love stories. But he can't believe that many things that happen in these films are happening to him in real life. And the movie becomes a quintessential love story.
I believe Sonam Kapoor is a luminous artist, the Waheeda Rehman [ Images ] of our generation but she hasn't yet got her due...
I hope our film will give her more exposure and success. She comes from an illustrious family and has firm values. And then there is also an excellent actress/
You don't shy away from discussing your hits and flops. What do you think went wrong with Kurbaan which was also the first film directed by Rensil D'Silva?
It came soon after another film dealing with the aftermath of terrorism in America was released and became a hit. Though Kurbaan was different from that film, still the audiences were hesitant to go and see it. Perhaps we should not have given it a wide release like showing it in over 300 theatres in the first week. The film might have worked better had the word of mouth had time to grow.
You have also said that as a producer you too take personal responsibility for the film's failure.
I feel that I wrongly projected the sexual violence as opposed to the emotional violence of the story. And yet the failure of the film surprised all of us. We still hear from people, not only in India but also in the Middle East, America and the United Kingdom who loved the film. But over all, the film did not take off.
What else have you learned from the reaction to Kurbaan?
I believe it is more important to accept the failure of a film than accept a success. For from failure, you learn a few things. But I also believe that one should never let a failure change one's outlook, as long as it was a credible failure, and Kurbaan was one such film; never to let the failure eat into your heart. We are proud of the way the film was shaped.
What else among Dharma Productions movies would you consider an honourable failure?
More than two decades ago my father (Yash Johar) produced Agneepath which did not do well. It was also a credible failure. Dharma productions soon launched another film. There was no time to mourn the failure. I always remember my father's attitude.
Amitabh Bachchan speaks very proudly of the film, and recites dialogue from it at his live shows?
Yes, he has told us again and again how dear the film is to him. And that is one of the reasons he has continued working with us.
People still remember your father decades after working with him, and many years after his death. Waheeda Rehman speaks about him as they are still friends.
My father was the production manager on Dev Anand's [ Images ] Guide (one of the best-known films starring Waheeda and made in the late 1960s). He played an important role in making the film what it is.
You have spent quite some time in recent years writing stories for films directed by others for Dharma Productions. When are you going to direct your own project.
I would say, soon, say after a few months. But I don't have any subject in my mind. I am using my sojourn in America to think about my next.
What kind of film are you inclined to make?
I think it would be a fun-filled film. It does not also have to be a film with many stars. But who knows? Beyond that I do not have any clue what the film is going to be, and where it would be made.
Arthur J Pais in New York
(Rediff)
Karan Johar, one of the most successful directors in India with all the four films directed by him starting with Kuch Kuch Hota Hai in 1998 is a super hit, was in America recently for the launch of the international edition of his biggest, My Name Is Khan.
But directing films is one of his several passions, he says. "I like to see directors and writers get a break through the films I produce," he says.
Though the films directed or produced by him have featured some of the best known artists in India including Amitabh Bachchan [ Images ] and his son Abishek, it is his association with Shah Rukh Khan [ Images ], who is there in the lead in all four films directed by him, has made movie history.
"When Karan says he has a film for me, I don't even ask for the script," Shah Rukh has said.
When My Name Is Khan opened over two months ago, there were some people and trade analysts in India who wrote that it had collapsed in the second week.
The film has grossed over $39 million worldwide; it is the highest grossing Hindi film outside India. We may reach $40 million. It is doing great as a DVD despite piracy in India. We have added over 20 minutes of deleted scenes.
Much of its success came from abroad.
Yes but it is also a huge hit in India. It was particularly strong in the United Kingdom grossing over $4 million. In fact, in the United Kingdom the three top-grossing films are directed by me.
MNIK did better business in the UK than 3 Idiots. And MNIK is still running in more than 100 theatres worldwide. We have just opened the international director's cut in America targeted at the non-diasporic audiences in America, showing the film first in New York and Los Angeles, and if it does well, expanding it to other cities.
What is the big difference between the director's cut and the standard edition?
[Chuckles] Fox Searchlight (the international distributor for the film) has edited out nearly half an hour from the original and they have done an excellent job. I was fully aware of the process and I was pleased to see the new version. Brevity may not be my forte. It is theirs.
Going back to India and the performance of MNIK there ...
We are surprised that it did beyond our expectations. This is not the usual masala film. This is not even a typical Karan Johar [ Images ] film. It is more thought provoking and deeply psychological film than anything I have done before. As I have said before, making this film make me grow more as a person than ever before.
What did Fox Searchlight do to this film that an Indian distributor could not do in the foreign markets?
Because of its vast network, Fox was able to show this film in the best of the theatres worldwide from Canada [ Images ] to Poland to Indonesia. Even in countries where Indian films are very popular but not well distributed, Fox did a remarkable job. From Egypt [ Images ] to Jordan to Malaysia, the film has performed strongly to a large extent because of the Fox distribution strategy and its ability to engage leading film writers in various countries to run stories on My Name Is Khan.
What are some of the territories have surprised you?
Indonesia, in particular. If a Hindi language film grossed about $75,000 there, it is considered excellent but our film struck a chord, and it became a sleeper hit grossing over $1.6 million.
In many Muslim countries, people were moved by what this film is trying to do: to remove a generalized, stereotype depiction of a religion. But extension, it speaks for any religion that is misunderstood an vilified. It offers a human message and it touches your heart.
I believe the film is enjoying a good run in Poland.
It grossed about $75,000 in its first week which is very good for a territory like Poland. I believe the second week is even stronger.
Playing a devil's advocate. Why would anyone care to see your film in Poland which has no history of watching Hindi films in big numbers?
My Name Is Khan is about humanity. It is a film about times and unfolds against the background of today's headlines. But above all, it is a film about the triumphant of goodness.
Are you working with Fox soon?
Right now I don't have any project but who knows what could happen tomorrow? Fox welcomed Dharma Productions and me as if we were family members. And surely if there is a project that interests a Hollywood studio, Fox would welcome us again.
Dharma has given a break to many directors
That is our pride. Last year we made Wake Up Sid [ Images ] directed by Ayan Mukherjee. Soon we have Punit Malhotra-directed I Hate Love Stories with Imran Khan [ Images ] and Sonam in release. I believe it is a sweet and funny film.
What is I Hate Love Stories about?
It is about this guy who hates Hindi movie love stories. But he can't believe that many things that happen in these films are happening to him in real life. And the movie becomes a quintessential love story.
I believe Sonam Kapoor is a luminous artist, the Waheeda Rehman [ Images ] of our generation but she hasn't yet got her due...
I hope our film will give her more exposure and success. She comes from an illustrious family and has firm values. And then there is also an excellent actress/
You don't shy away from discussing your hits and flops. What do you think went wrong with Kurbaan which was also the first film directed by Rensil D'Silva?
It came soon after another film dealing with the aftermath of terrorism in America was released and became a hit. Though Kurbaan was different from that film, still the audiences were hesitant to go and see it. Perhaps we should not have given it a wide release like showing it in over 300 theatres in the first week. The film might have worked better had the word of mouth had time to grow.
You have also said that as a producer you too take personal responsibility for the film's failure.
I feel that I wrongly projected the sexual violence as opposed to the emotional violence of the story. And yet the failure of the film surprised all of us. We still hear from people, not only in India but also in the Middle East, America and the United Kingdom who loved the film. But over all, the film did not take off.
What else have you learned from the reaction to Kurbaan?
I believe it is more important to accept the failure of a film than accept a success. For from failure, you learn a few things. But I also believe that one should never let a failure change one's outlook, as long as it was a credible failure, and Kurbaan was one such film; never to let the failure eat into your heart. We are proud of the way the film was shaped.
What else among Dharma Productions movies would you consider an honourable failure?
More than two decades ago my father (Yash Johar) produced Agneepath which did not do well. It was also a credible failure. Dharma productions soon launched another film. There was no time to mourn the failure. I always remember my father's attitude.
Amitabh Bachchan speaks very proudly of the film, and recites dialogue from it at his live shows?
Yes, he has told us again and again how dear the film is to him. And that is one of the reasons he has continued working with us.
People still remember your father decades after working with him, and many years after his death. Waheeda Rehman speaks about him as they are still friends.
My father was the production manager on Dev Anand's [ Images ] Guide (one of the best-known films starring Waheeda and made in the late 1960s). He played an important role in making the film what it is.
You have spent quite some time in recent years writing stories for films directed by others for Dharma Productions. When are you going to direct your own project.
I would say, soon, say after a few months. But I don't have any subject in my mind. I am using my sojourn in America to think about my next.
What kind of film are you inclined to make?
I think it would be a fun-filled film. It does not also have to be a film with many stars. But who knows? Beyond that I do not have any clue what the film is going to be, and where it would be made.
Arthur J Pais in New York
(Rediff)
Karan Johar to launch a new face
Filmmaker Karan Johar, known for hits like ‘Kuch Kuch Hota Hai’, ‘Kabhi Khushi Kabhie Gham’ and the recent ‘My Name Is Khan’, has announced that he wants to launch a new face under his banner Dharma Productions.
"I have made some solid decisions for dharma (his production house) ...starting with the fact that we want to launch new acting talent in a film this year...," Karan posted on his Twitter page Wednesday.
The 37-year-old filmmaker is currently busy with his upcoming projects - the Imran Khan and Sonam Kapoor starrer ‘I Hate Luv Storys’, which is being directed by Punit Malhotra, and ‘Love You Maa’ that has Kajol, Kareena Kapoor and Arjun Rampal.
IANS
"I have made some solid decisions for dharma (his production house) ...starting with the fact that we want to launch new acting talent in a film this year...," Karan posted on his Twitter page Wednesday.
The 37-year-old filmmaker is currently busy with his upcoming projects - the Imran Khan and Sonam Kapoor starrer ‘I Hate Luv Storys’, which is being directed by Punit Malhotra, and ‘Love You Maa’ that has Kajol, Kareena Kapoor and Arjun Rampal.
IANS
Sunday, May 9, 2010
MNIK awarded
Shah Rukh Khan and Kajol starrer My Name Is Khan has been honoured with the 19th Annual Voices of Courage and Conscience Media Award in Los Angeles. The award is given by the Muslim Public Affairs Council. Receiving the award, the film’s director Karan Johar said, “It’s a matter of great pride because Khan has received its first award.”
(HT)
(HT)
Imran and Sonam: The new ‘IT’ couple
If Imran Khan’s hot sexy body (which is almost threatening John Abraham’s ‘buttlicious’ bod) is the talk of the town, so is the sizzling chemistry that he shares with his leading lady, Sonam Kapoor. Sources tell us that this jodi gets along like a house on fire, and it’s not just the two of them. Yep, Imran’s fiancée, Avantika, is part of the gang. Sorry dearies, there’re no fireworks here. We’ve not heard of anything yet. Apparently, on the sets of I Hate Luv Stories, Sonam and Avantika bonded like girlies do, sometimes even leaving Imran yawning with their non-stop talkathon. If our guess is right, Khan and Kapoor are gonna be the next ‘IT’ couple in B-town. Ranbir and Katz...it won’t be an easy race ahead. Tighten your laces, already.
(Indiatimes)
(Indiatimes)
Wednesday, May 5, 2010
My Name Is Khan a hit in Egypt
Shah Rukh Khan starrer My Name Is Khan seems to have touched a chord with the Egyptian cine lovers, who continue to throng theatres even two months after its release.
The film, which talks about the Islamophobia that gripped the US after 9/11, made a record one million Egyptian pounds in the first four weeks of its release.
The Karan Johar directed film, which was distributed in Egypt by United Motion Pictures, has become a hit among public as well as critics.
The distribution head Antoine Zind says it has been decades since he took the risk with showing an Indian movie in Egyptian theatres but My Name Is Khan has changed his perception about Indian cinema.
Famous analyst Muhammad al-Kurdusi is one of the strongest supporters of the movie.
"This is no ordinary movie. This movie reflects what we, as Muslims, learnt in primary school. The hero is no ordinary hero. He is more like a new prophet of his time but are we true Muslims to believe in him?," al-Kurdusi said.
The Indians have done Muslims in general a huge favour, according to media pundit Khalid Muntassir.
"If we had placed thousand sheiks in the thousand largest squares in the world and aided them with microphones, they wouldn't have rectified the image of Islam and ridded it from the false accusations Osama Bin Laden stuck to it like this one Indian movie My Name is Khan has," Muntassir wrote.
The next film to be screened in Egypt is Kabir Khan's New York' starring Bollywood heartthrob John Abraham and Katrina Kaif.
Incidentally, New York also talks about how the 9/11 incident changed the lives of Muslims living in the US.
(HT)
(PTI)
The film, which talks about the Islamophobia that gripped the US after 9/11, made a record one million Egyptian pounds in the first four weeks of its release.
The Karan Johar directed film, which was distributed in Egypt by United Motion Pictures, has become a hit among public as well as critics.
The distribution head Antoine Zind says it has been decades since he took the risk with showing an Indian movie in Egyptian theatres but My Name Is Khan has changed his perception about Indian cinema.
Famous analyst Muhammad al-Kurdusi is one of the strongest supporters of the movie.
"This is no ordinary movie. This movie reflects what we, as Muslims, learnt in primary school. The hero is no ordinary hero. He is more like a new prophet of his time but are we true Muslims to believe in him?," al-Kurdusi said.
The Indians have done Muslims in general a huge favour, according to media pundit Khalid Muntassir.
"If we had placed thousand sheiks in the thousand largest squares in the world and aided them with microphones, they wouldn't have rectified the image of Islam and ridded it from the false accusations Osama Bin Laden stuck to it like this one Indian movie My Name is Khan has," Muntassir wrote.
The next film to be screened in Egypt is Kabir Khan's New York' starring Bollywood heartthrob John Abraham and Katrina Kaif.
Incidentally, New York also talks about how the 9/11 incident changed the lives of Muslims living in the US.
(HT)
(PTI)
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