Teri Meri Kahani Premieres In Dubai, London And Toronto

Kunal Kohli profusely thanked his technical team (Director of Photography, Editor, Art Director etc) in an interview with me a short while back. Shahid, Kunal and Priyanka will be going for the world premieres of Teri Meri Kahani to Dubai (June 20), London (June 21) and Toronto (June 22). The film will be releasing in 1900-2000 screens and will be having a wide release all across the world.

I asked Kunal Kohli about the allegations that Teri Meri Kahani has been inspired by a Taiwanese film 'Three Times' where the love story is based in three different eras (1911, 1966 and 2005). Why were Neha Sharma and Prachi Desai kept out of the promotions? Do you think, TMK will be Shahid's biggest opener? For the answers, you'll have to watch the interview. First part coming up tomorrow.
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Michael Jackson At Madame Tussauds Hong Kong

Madame Tussauds Hong Kong unveiled a brand new wax figure of the King of Pop – Michael Jackson on 16^th June 2012 in memory of him as his 3rd anniversary approaches. Fans of Michael Jackson were invited to the attraction to create a special tribute to their idol.

The new Michael Jackson wax figure is depicted in the classic performance pose of his “This Is It” tour poster and will be exhibited permanently in the Music Icons zone. This is the 14th Michael Jackson wax figure produced by Madame Tussauds around the world, with only Queen Elizabeth II – who has just celebrated her Diamond Jubilee – being portrayed more often.

Doorstep Of Belonging

Abba would have turned 76 on June 16, 2012. Here's a poem for him from me on his birthday.

Dew on the doorstep of Belonging
Smeared with a laidback smile.


Fragrant memories, soaked in
Wisdom, imagination and wit
Caresses buds of attachment.


Clouds are ominous and grave,
I hear unhurried footsteps,
Unafraid and unaffected.


Surprises will always
Be in store in the quest
For the unobvious.


Left hand in the left pocket,
Friendly hand on the shoulder;
Humour and poetry
Permeates the pregnant air.



A year has gone by,
Not just another year
But the year that matters.


Gateway to sleep is closed;
Dreams have new wings,
The dew-drops Linger on....

Pics: IIFA Awards, Singapore 2012

 

"Cocktail Is Deepika's Best Performance": Homi Adjania

"Cocktail is Deepika's best performance till date," says Homi Adjania, director of Saif, Deepika, Diana Penty starrer Cocktail. Before we started off talking on camera, I spoke to him about his journey so far. Now, let me begin by talking about what I didn't ask during the course of the on-camera interview. Aamir Khan's bungalow in Panchgani originally belonged to Homi. It was their family property. Aamir and Kiran wanted to marry in Panchgani. They got married in the same bungalow and fell in love with it and bought it from Homi.

Well, in the on-camera interview, we discussed the similarities in Saif, Deepika and Diana's characters with Archie, Betty and Vernonica (Deepika is called Veronica in the film). Homi's first film was Being Cyrus (did Salman take the 'Being' in Being Human from Being Cyrus?). Homi spoke about the song picturisation and the Different-Quotient he has tried to bring to the table. He gave an example of Yaarian, sung by Mohan from Agni rock band where Saif is shown playing the guitar with eclectic visuals and unplugged music.

'The International Fakir' is a movie that was the debut of Farhan Akhtar as an actor. It was screened at a few film festivals but never released in India. The film was based on the real life experience of Homi when he had taken a Fakir (a beggar) to Venic and what unusual experience emanated out of his adventure. Annu Kapoor plays the Fakir in the movie. Homi was paid for being the subject (Farhan plays Homi) for the film. He took off on an adventure trip to Peru from the money that he earned. Ironically, he hasn't yet seen the film.

Homi is a certified Scuba diving instructor. He loves the adrenaline rush that comes with adventure sports. Being Cyrus released in 2005. It has been seven years since his last film. He has never directed an Add film. Talking about Being Cyrus, well, Dimple Kapadia uses Saif as her toyboy in the film. In Cocktail, Dimple plays Saif's mom. "There's no incest happening there for sure," says Homi.

Homi's wife is Anaita Shroff Adjania. She is the Fashion Director of Vogue India and a noted Stylist (Dhoom franchise, Love Aaj Kal and many more). In fact Anaita played the role of one of Kajol's friends in Dilwale Dulhania Le Jayenge (Ruk Ja O Dil Deewane song, the girl with whom Shahrukh flirts with).

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Fascinating Music Workshop: Lip Sync Vs Songs In Background

We at Bollywood Hungama produced over 40 videos at the three day IIFA Weekend in Singapore from June 7-9. But the best event for me was the fantastic music workshop that was held on June 9. It was almost like a Bollywood potboiler that has everything for everyone. Heated debate on the relevance of lip sync songs versus the songs in the background resulted in some fascinating point-of-views and funny rejoinders. We made a video on this workshop and have included this debate in our video. It was a three hour long workshop and what we haven't included in this video is the age old debate on the song-written-on-tune versus tunes-composed-on-the written-word (http://faridoonshahryar.blogspot.in/2012/06/javed-akhtar-sahab-rocks-at-iifa-music.html). I guess we will make more videos out of this workshop and post at a later stage. I did speak to Shantanu Moitra and Rakeysh Mehra after the workshop and their viewpoints are interesting.  

Music Workshop At IIFA, Singapore

Two teams were made at the end of the workshop and they were assigned the task of making instant songs. Zoya Akhtar wanted to work with someone other than her dad so she chose Prasoon. Javed sahab made it quite clear that Prasoon doesn't have much chance to write lyrics for any of Zoya's films (in jest of course). The team of Vishal Shekhar, Prasoon and Zoya made a fun track Rock-n-roll Ghungroo. It was well received by the audience and Usha Uthup joined the party too. Prasoon jokingly told Javed sahab, as to what was it that he had said about Zoya not working with anyone other than her dad. 

After the workshop, all the video cameras had gone to cover the press conference of Teri Meri Kahani. I captured both the songs on my Ipad. I am glad I did so. The results are pretty decent. 

Rock-n-Roll Ghungroo

(Lyrics: Prasoon Joshi, Music: Vishal Shekhar, Singers: Prasoon, Usha Usthup, Vishal and Shekhar, Director: Zoya Akhtar) 

Javed sahab recited the words of Kho Gaye Kahin. He wasn't affected by the huge round of applause for Rock-n-Roll Ghungroo (After all he was part of the team that once famously announced.. Jo darr gaya samjho marr gaya). Shantanu started off the proceedings. Harshdeep joined him (She sang beautifully). Shekhar Ravijani played Piano. By the end of the song, everyone was mesmerised by the beautiful melody. The team got a standing ovation. 


Kho Gaye Kahin 

(Lyrics: Javed Akhtar, Music: Shantanu Moitra, Piano: Shekhar Ravijani, Singers: Harshdeep, Shantanu, Director: Rakeysh Mehra)

Rakeysh Mehra's Interview

Shantanu Moitra's Interview 

Liv Ullman On Ingmar Bergman, Resul Pookutty On Sound Design Magic

Faridoon Shahryar (FS): We have with us the legendary Liv Ullmann and India's pride Resul Pookutty here on Bollywood Hungama at IIFA Singapore. Huge honour to have you on Bollywood Hungama! I guess you turned completely Indian out here!

Liv Ullmann (LU): I think this is one of the most incredible and creative experience I have had in my whole life! I didn't want it to end. I am so happy and grateful with what have I have seen in the last few hours of my life. And as I said, I wish I was an Indian!

FS: You gave a fantastic workshop on sound which was an enriching experience. Generally, people associate movies with stars but the kind of stuff that people do behind the scenes is incredible. So tell us about your experience at the workshop.

Resul Pookutty (RP): It was indeed incredible. And I was so touched and moved by what Liv said that I am so happy that I am alive and got to be a part of something like this. This is what movies do to you. When it comes to sound in movies, it's like a subconscious art.

FS: We spoke to Shabana Azmi yesterday and she said that she's really privileged that she's meeting her childhood idol, Liv Ullmann, here. How was the experience meeting her? I guess she gave you a saree the last time you guys met…

LU: Yes, last time when we met, she was wearing a beautiful dress and I complimented her at the dinner. And when I was leaving, she had changed her clothes! And on her arm was the dress that she was wearing. And that was an indication of the generosity of the Indian people. I really like and admire Shabana a lot. I've met her husband and daughter too. The warmth and creativity never seemed to end in this country.

FS: Sir, which is your favourite Liv Ullmann film?

RP: Persona. Basically, everything that she done!

FS: Ma'm please share your association about Ingmar Bergmann, one of the finest cinematic minds in the world ever.

LU: You know I believe that Ingmar somewhere has been here today! He's a child like all creative people. He would have enjoyed himself so much because this is what life is about – to listen and to be a part of creative people.

DS: Great. Thank you so much ma'm!