Filmmaker Karan Johar who is directing romantic comedy `Student Of The Year` after a gap of two years, says he is feeling a bit nervous.
The film marks the debut of Alia Bhatt, daughter of filmmaker Mahesh Bhatt and Varun Dhawan, younger son of David Dhawan and newcomer Siddharth Malhotra.
"I start my shoot for SOTY in 2 weeks... if I am nervous I wonder what the 3 first timers are feeling??," Johar said on micro-blogging site Twitter.
Varun and Siddharth had worked as assistant directors for Johar during the making of his 2010 film, `My Name is Khan`.
On January 5, Johar had uploaded the first look of the film on Twitter that marks his return to direction after `My Name is Khan`.
`Student Of The Year`, produced by Johar and Shahrukh Khan under the banner of Dharma Productions and Red Chillies Entertainment, is slated to release in mid 2012.
The protests against Bollywood movie `Aarakshan` (Reservation) are gaining strength in Punjab with a group now threatening to move the High Court seeking a ban on it.
The group opposing the movie, slated to be released on July 12, today said they have an objection with the promo of `Aarakshan` and that they will move the High court seeking ban on the movie.
"An actor is being shown in the promo saying "we don`t want reservation, we want merit". Our main objection is with this dialogue. It seems the intention of the director is to oppose those who get reservation," C L Chumbar, the president of `Anti-Aarakshan` group said while addressing the media.
When asked if he had seen the movie, his answer was in negative.
And when questioned how could he oppose the movie without even watching it, Chumbar said, "Not only we, everybody is opposing this movie. A case has already been filed in this matter in the Bombay High Court. Prakash Jha has been summoned by the Minority Commission."
He said "we will watch the movie after it is released and if anything objectionable comes to our notice, we will move the Court and intensify our agitation".
‘Hannah Montana’ star Miley Cyrus is set to produce and star in an upcoming comedy about God.
According to the Christian Post, Cyrus, 18, will play the lead role in the film, and the plot reportedly revolves around a broken promise to God, the New York Post reported.
The movie is based on a screenplay by writers Sam Brown and Jack Angelo, and it is expected to be released by Paramount Pictures.
The film’s title and further details about the plot have not yet been released.
The project will mark Cyrus’ debut as a producer, along with her mother, Tish Cyrus, under the banner of their production company Hope Town Entertainment.
Director Nagesh Kuknoor, who was sure not to make a love story ever, proved himself wrong by making `Mod`. He says it was the story of the film that compelled him to venture into it.
"`Mod` is my first love story. I had always said I would never make a love story but here I did find something worth telling," Kukunoor told reporters at the launch of the first look of the film here Tuesday.
"Mod" identifies with his critically acclaimed film "Dor", Kukunoor revealed.
"`Mod` returns to the space I dealt with and enjoyed a lot of success of `Dor`. Not only the three-letter name but also I used the tag line of `Dor` that says `how far you can go to save your love`," said Kukunoor.
The director`s last films - "Aashayein", "8X10 Tasveer" and "Bombay to Bangkok" failed at the box office.
Starring Ayesha Takia and MTV VJ Rannvijay, "Mod" is a love story between two very, very unlikely people, set at the backdrop of a small hill station.
"Usually I like to set up my stories in these little towns, a kind of utopian India where everyone is nice and everything is fine."
"Ayesha runs a small clock repairing shop where she meets the stranger Rannvijay, who every day turns up with some problem of his wrist watch and there stars a quirky love story, which takes a dramatic turn."
"There are number of layers in the story, which peel out as the film proceeds, but ultimately it`s a love story," said Kukunoor.
According to sources, Sonu’s character will be inspired from his Telugu hit ‘Dookhadu’.
Speaking to a daily, Sonu said, "For Chhedi Singh`s role, I had observed my Bihari friends to get the mannerism right. For my role in ‘Dabangg 2’, a few characteristics will be taken from my `Dookhadu` role. I have met Salman and Arbaaz regarding the same. They have shown a positive interest. I have started working on my role."
While Sonu says that he will be essaying the role of Chhedi Singh and his twin brother, sources close to the Khans have stated, "Yes, Sonu met Salman about it. But in the end, it depends on the script."
And if Sonu does get to play a double role, Salman Khan’s fans can make merry, for they will get to see the superstar bashing up not one but two “Chhedi Singhs”.
The film is slated to go on floors only in 2012.
Filmmaker David Dhawan says he can`t thank Akshay Kumar enough for saying `yes` to his son Rohit`s debut directorial `Desi Boyz`.
Though the comedy king maintains that Rohit bagged the film on the merits of its script, he doesn`t deny that in an industry where not many stars are willing to even listen to a narration, Akshay stood by his promise of starting a film with the youngster.
"It is Akshay`s generosity that he said yes to making a film with a newcomer. Rohit didn`t get the film because his father is a director; he got it based on what he narrated to Akshay.
"Some may say that it was always on the cards but I know that it is not that simple. I have been in the industry for three decades; despite filmy connections, one has to slog hard before something really materialises," David told reporters.
Though David`s affinity has lied mainly with Govinda, Salman Khan and Anil Kapoor, he shares a good professional relationship with Akshay as well after working with him in `Mujhse Shaadi Karogi` and `Mr And Mrs Khiladi`.
Now his son`s `Desi Boyz` is in progress and Rohit is in constant touch with his dad and exchanges notes and takes suggestions about the making of the film.
"As a father and son we have a great bonding while as professionals too we share our views. I discuss my film with him. We are growing with each other and are well aware about the progress of each other`s films," said David.
After directing 40 odd films, David is now happy to be working at his own free will. In the last five years, he has directed only four films - `Partner`, `Do Knot Disturb`, `Hook Ya Crook` and `Rascals`, which is now all set for release.
Happy about not being associated with any camps or arm twisted by any corporate or independent production house, Dhawan claims that he has managed to be in a comfortable state today as he has always avoided sycophancy.
"I am not a `chamcha` director. Neither do I butter up anyone nor do I allow anyone to become too close to me. I shoo away any sycophancy whatsoever and just enjoy my work," he said.
The `Hero No 1` director is still pretty active in the business despite being around for almost 25 years.
"It may sound immodest but then there is some branding that I have managed for myself over the years. People love my films and I am my own name. I have worked mainly with stars and superstars but I don`t mind working with newcomers either provided they show some spark and promise."
David ruled right through the 90s with films that were a blend of action, comedy, romance and a fair bit of melodrama. Though in the 2000s masala went out of fashion, it is now back in vogue with numerous filmmakers waking up to the genre.
"I have always advised budding filmmakers to never let go off the basics. The director in me is elated today to see the revival of `masala` films. I have kept that in mind while making `Rascals` as well. It is what you call vintage entertainment," said David.
Also starring Arjun Rampal, Kangna Ranaut, Chunky Pandey and Satish Kaushik, `Rascals` releases on October 6.
Producer-director Prakash Jha, who is releasing `Aarakshan`, a film on reservation, says that political leaders are apprehensive over the film as they feel that "something wrong may happen".
He also said that no politician has approached him yet to hold a special screening of the movie.
Directed by Jha, `Aarakshan` is a socio-political drama based on caste-based reservations in government jobs and educational institutions. The Censor Board has already given a green signal to the film.
Last week, the Maharashtra Government had said it would request the makers of `Aarakshan` to show the movie to groups and legislators, who have raised objections on the theme before its release.
Home Minister R R Patil had told in the Assembly last week that though it was the right of the Censor Board to clear the film, it was everyone`s responsibility to ensure there was no social tension.
However, NCP leader Jitendra Awhad, senior Maharashtra minister Chhagan Bhujbal and RPI leader Ramdas Athawale are against the release of the movie.
When asked whether he would screen his film for politicians as they have raised objections, Jha said in a lighter vein, "I think they don`t want to pay for the movie."
"They (politicians) have concerns. When you make movies that concern the society, the leaders of certain sections of the society will have to voice their concerns. They probably don`t know what the movie is about. They are just apprehensive that something wrong may happen," Jha said, while addressing a group of students at an institute here last evening.
"They haven`t contacted me for the screening yet and the moment they do it I will tell them there is nothing wrong.
We all know that I don`t want to provoke people," he said.
The film starring Amitabh Bachchan, Saif Ali Khan, Manoj Manoj Bajpaypee, Deepika Padukone and Prateik Babbar, releases on August 12.
Even two lawyers from Panvel have filed a petition in Bombay High Court challenging the release of the film on grounds that the trailers and ads suggest that the film sends an anti-reservation message and would.
The Court had yesterday expressed a wish to view the movie before passing any order in the case, it would come up for hearing today.
