When Big B turned A Dialogue Writer

Bollywood On My Mind (June 25)

Its going great guns. I've interviewed Aamir, Shahrukh, Salman in a span of a month. To top it, did a quick interview with Mr Bachchan a few days back and did a long and satisfying interview with Big B today. Its a treat talking to Mr B. We spoke about BHTB music and Abhi-Ash good news (Ash is tentatively due for delivery in November). Mr Bachchan also spoke about some of the famous props like the billa no 786 in Deewar, rope in Deewar etc. He also spoke about some of his colorful characters from movies like Naseeb, Namak Halal, Yaarana and Don.

Did you know, Mr B has written the 'I can talk english, i can walk english' dialogue from Namak Halal on the spur of the moment. Big B told us that he requested the director and the cinematographer to leave the room as they shot this scene. He also went down the memory lane remembering the shooting experience in Nepal for Mahaan, the lights in the Yaraana number and the hazards it had.

I met Singham director Rohit Shetty the other day. He is a hardworking bloke who believes in letting the box office numbers do the talking. For him the critics don't matter as almost all of them have their agendas while reviewing films.

I may have done some high profile interviews in the last few days but I've also done some immensely satisfying interviews with Prakash Jha, Ram Gopal Varma, Vikram Bhatt, Ram Sampath and Roshan Abbas. Also, recently interviewed Akshat Varma, the script writer of Delhi Belly. Quirky guy with a wicked sense of humour.

Salman Khan with the Chillar Party Gang

Check out an interview with Salman Khan and three kids from the Chillar Party gang...Hope you guys like it....

http://www.bollywoodhungama.com/broadband/video/Interviews/OCFYrU27/3/Salman-Khan-Speaks-About-Chillar-Party.html

Big B, Shahrukh, Aamir....And Chandigarh Di Star!!!

Bollywood On My Mind June 18, 2011


An interview with Mr Bachchan is always special. In the discotheque of a Bombay five star hotel, Big B strutted in style, dressed in a colorful shirt and funky glares. I started off the interview with a few lines written by my father:

Iss umr ke safar ka
Kitna taweel rasta tai maine kar liya hai
Aur ab bhi taaza dum hoon, bilkul nahi thaka hoon
Hairat ki baat kya hai?


While talking to the legend I always feel blessed for being a part of the profession that I am. Amitabh Bachchan is God and being right in front of him is a wonderful feeling. We discussed the influence of director Puri Jagannath and the South Indian influence that's apparent in 'Bbuddah Hoga Tera Baap'. Big B said that the exchange has always been there. Rajnikanth has remade several Bachchan films in South like 'Namak Halal', 'Don' and 'Deewar'. The budget of BHTB is a mere Rs 10 crore. The satellite rights have already been sold for Rs 13.5 crore so it becomes a profitable venture even before the release. I have a strong positive gut feeling about BHTB. It has a good chance of succeeding at the Box Office. Really hope BHTB producer Abhishek Bachchan is careful about the budget of his own films as an actor as well.

Here's the promo of Delhi Belly featuring Aamir Khan...

http://www.bollywoodhungama.com/broadband/video/Movie-Promos/UoSiwL7/3/Dialogue-Promo-1-Delhi-Belly.html

Alright, Raveena Tandon's item number 'Chandigarh Di Star' is a scorcher...Check it out:

http://www.bollywoodhungama.com/broadband/video/Movie-Promos/mmcgWd62/3/Main-Chandigarh-Di-Star-Bbuddah-Hoga-Terra-Baap.html

For all those asking here's the link of of Prakash Jha's interview

"Mr Bachchan Has The Versatality": Prakash Jha

http://www.bollywoodhungama.com/broadband/video/Interviews/wx2XsY67/3/Prakash-Jha-Speaks-About-Aarakshan.html


Here's the part two of Shahrukh Khan and the team of 'Always Kabhi Kabhi'

http://www.bollywoodhungama.com/broadband/video/Interviews/RmfJQY97/3/Shahrukh-Khan-Speaks-About-Always-Kabhi-Kabhi-Part-2.html

One of you sent me a mail asking, how do I tackle detractors. Well, I just don't react or give importance to good-for-nothing-'losers'. My work speaks for itself. And mashallah, things are getting better with each passing day :)

God Bless!!!

When Big B Almost Didn't Do 'Lagaan' Voice Over

Bollywood On My Mind (June 16, 2011)

I really admire and respect Raju Hirani. He speaks less and his work is so tall that his modesty becomes extremely endearing. On the other hand, there are filmmakers obsessed with picking up fights just for the sake of publicity. Their films are watched by a miniscule number of people and their coterie constantly tries to keep them at a 'pedestal'. While they consider themselves God, maximum number of people don't even know them. Then the blame game starts about Indian audience being immature and all the sho-sha of how they need to appreciate 'good' cinema. Yawn...

'Lagaan' completed 10 years yesterday. Aamir along with the cast and crew of 'Lagaan' and all his other productions gathered at a Mumbai Hotel along with strong media presence amongst the dignitaries. The evening started with the Making of 'Lagaan'...'Madness In The Desert-The Lunacy Of Filmmaking'. This documentary, directed by Satyajit Bhatkal was engaging. Later, Aamir (teary eyed) and Ashutosh Gowarikler (he has lost lots of weight, the healthy way hopefully) went down the memory lane reminiscing what all happened during the making of the film. I asked both of them, that since they've made a phenomenal film and are so appreciative of each other, why haven't they worked together again and can we see that happening in the future. Both Aamir and Ashutosh stated that as and when they shall have a good script they would be very keen to work together again (Not a convincing answer guys :)).

Javed Akhtar sahab remembered how he had tried to pursuade Aamir not to make 'Lagaan' as it was an unsafe film from all counts. Akhtar also said that even 'Zanjeer' was rejected by many producers and actors. Like 'Lagaan' it was breaking a lot of conventions, Akhtar said. Mr Bachchan came almost at the end of the evening. He was in his 'Bbuddah Hoga Tera Baap' look. Aamir shared an interesting bit of info that most of us didn't know. Ashutosh wanted Mr B's voice over but then later Ashutosh changed his mind and felt that a fresh voice should do the VO as Mr Bachchan's voice is easily recognisable. Aamir went back to Big B to apologise that they wouldn't be requiring his VO in their film. Ashutosh changed his mind once again after a month and told Aamir that he felt that Mr Bachchan's Voice Over is the right choice. Khan was baffled and went back to the legend once again. Big B agreed.

Here's the video of this event...

http://www.bollywoodhungama.com/broadband/video/Parties-and-Events/yg7m3r20/3/Aamir-Khan-Celebrates-Lagaan-s-Decade-Run.html

I interviewed the director of 'Aarakshan' Prakash Jha today. His office carries a stamp of an educated man with lots of wonderful books, furniture having a simple old world charm to it and nice comforting spaciousness. He was slightly late and apologised profusely. We had a long interview where we talked about the issue of Reservation in jobs and education institutions in India. I also asked him questions about his stint in politics and did he and Ajay Devgn really had differences over 'Raajneeti'. We also had a Down The Memory Lane segment where I asked him about his films like 'Hip Hip Hurray', 'Damul', 'Parinati', Mrityudand', 'Gangaajal', 'Aparahan', 'Khoya Khoya Chaand', 'Dil Dosti Etc'. Mr Jha made me see a 10 min showreel of 'Aarakshan' as well. Looks like a very interesting film.

When The Painlessness Hurts

Hopelessness infests
Ruthlessly,
Trampling
All traces
Of positivity,
Eerily smiling,
Brandishing
A knife, that
Gleams sinisterly.

It is easy
To philosophise
About the End,
But its a
Stab-in-the-heart
To Look beyond
The Inevitable.

Stripped of protection,
Leaves of attachment
Gear up for a
Bloody battle ahead
As the storm rages on.

Defeat seems imminent
As the Loss gets into
The garb of memories
Painlessness hurts...

"Ra.one And Don 2 Are Macho Films": Shahrukh Khan

Finally, here's the Shahrukh Khan interview that all of you guys have been asking for. I've got many emails, asking details about this interview. I've tried to reply to as many of the emails as possible but if at all I haven't been able to reply so please don't mind. Your feedback and appreciation is very important and precious. I've always valued it and always will. Yes, if we do SRK's interview for Ra.one and Don 2, I'll surely try and take questions from all of you guys as well. Till then, hope you enjoy this one. Part 2 of this interview will be up on Thursday June 16.


http://www.bollywoodhungama.com/broadband/video/Interviews/7TgajL42/3/Shahrukh-Khan-Always-Kabhi-Kabhi-Team-s-Bollywood-Hungama-Exclusive-1.html

Enjoy and Best Wishes!!!!

"Qayamat Se Qayamat Tak Is My College Film": Shahrukh Khan

Check out one more teaser from the Bollywood Hungama exclusive interview of Shahrukh Khan and the team of Always Kabhi Kabhi. The first part of this video interview will be live on Monday June 13...on Bollywood Hungama.


http://www.bollywoodhungama.com/broadband/video/Special-Features/BFcfRW42/3/Teaser-Of-Bollywood-Hungama-s-Exclusive-Interview-With-SRK-And-Always-Kabhi-Kabhi-Team.html