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Karisma in You and I  

There is a constant fear for film buffs that once the heroines get married they will put a stop to their careers.

After Madhuri Dixit, it was Karisma Kapoor, Kajol, Sonali Bendre and many more accomplished actresses. Except for Sridevi most of the actresses have been announcing their comeback to the screen. Earlier it was Kajol and she electrified the silver screen with Fanaa and now Karisma is coming back with 揧ou and I

Hrithik stands out  

Like expected Dhoom 2 opened to a terrific response. The dubbed version got a instant hit response in cities like Vizag and Vijayawada too.

Though technically brilliant it has got a mixed talk from the critics but the common audiences is thoroughly happy because they got their money抯 worth back. The only hero who stood out was Hrithik Roshan. This is probably one film which has exploited Hrithik抯 talent to the maximum but poor Abhishek was relegated to the background. He appears throught in a serious role.   

揑抦 still a kid,

揔BC匲nlock Kiya Jaye,

慡ushmita rocks!

Bachchans, Ash pray at Varanasi temples

Bollywood sensation Abhishek Bachchan and beauty queen-turned actress Aishwarya Rai took part in pujas along with his family at the Kashi Viswanath and Sankat Mochan temples here early on Monday morning, capping a night of rumours that they were to marry.
     
Abhishek's father and Bollywood icon Amitabh Bachchan, mother Jaya, sister Shweta Nanda, uncle Ajitabh and his daughter Namrata and Samajwadi Party General Secretary Amar Singh took part in the Mangla Aarti and Rudra Abhishek rituals at ancient temples here.

The family offered prayers at Ram Janaki temple near the Sankat Mochan temple and participated in an 'aarti' for Lord Hanuman there. The Bachchans and Aishwarya reached the temples with a posse of police personnel and a battery of media persons.

Today is the 99th birth anniversary of Bachchan's father and Hindi poet Harivanshrai Bachchan.
     
"They performed the rituals with great zeal. Amitabh and Jaya offered the 'jalabhishek' (offering of water to the deity). I also requested Abhishek and Aishwarya to do so," Kashi Viswanath temple priest Srikant Tripathi said.

On what were the reasons for the Bachchans to conduct such pujas, Tripathi said he was not aware of the reasons and there was no specific ritual performed to reduce the influence of Mars on the actors.
     
Astrologer Chandramouli Upadhyaya, who met the Bachchans here on Sunday night, said there was no discussion on the marriage and they have come here to offer prayers at the temples to overcome a problem relating to the horoscope of Aishwarya.

There has been considerable media speculation on a marriage between Abhishek and Aishwarya but neither family confirmed it.

Amitabh had said in London on November 9 this year that he wanted Abhishek to settle with a "good girl" of his choice.

On the prospect of Abhishek marrying Aishwarya, the older Bachchan had quipped: "I have also heard about it. You shouold ask the people who spread the rumour".

Abhishek and Aishwarya have starred together in Hindi films like Dhai Akshar Prem Ke, Kuch Na Kaho, recently released Umrao Jaan and soon-to-be screened Dhoom II as also Mani Ratnam's forthcoming Guru.

The Bachchans flew into this temple town by a chartered flight late on Sunday night and stayed in seven suites at the Hotel Taj Ganges.

The star guests entered the hotel through the rear, giving a slip to the media and a surge of onlookers assembled at the lobby and outside.

Aishwarya Rai

John抯 testament

John Abraham opens up on the life he lived, the dream he抯 living and how he 憇urvives

I'm not conscious about my body: Bipasha

Actress Bipasha Basu says that wearing shorts and other summer clothes do not make her self-conscious.

The bootylicious Bipasha Basu, whose bikini-clad appearance in Dhoom 2 has set audience pulses soaring, says she is "not at all conscious" about her body.

"We shot in Brazil where everyone was dressed in shorts and other summer clothes. That didn't make me the least self-conscious," Bipasha told.

"I'm not at all conscious about my body. Brazil is the best country for me. I freaked out in the local dresses. With my long curly hair and Brazilian look, I looked like a local," she added.

The sultry siren was even mistaken for a local while shopping in that country. "I actually had people asking me for the price of things in the shop. I loved the anonymity. Most of all it was a relief not having my bodyguard around all day long. I didn't look like a tourist, I didn't behave like one."

Didn't she feel vulnerable? "No. What danger could I face in Rio? It's the hub of tourism. The best thing about Brazil was there were hardly any Indians around. I had these cute Brazilian guys asking me out to coffee. And you know what? They didn't even know who I was. That's what made it so much fun.

"I can't be anonymous in Mumbai anymore. But I still get into a three-wheeler within Bandra. I never restrict myself from doing what I want to do," she said.

About Dhoom 2 , she said: "I saw the first Dhoom four times in 15 days. And not because John was in it. I haven't seen any of John's other films so many times. Dhoom is 'today'. It's a youthful brand title. I want to see Dhoom 2 also four times in 15 days.

"(Director) Aditya Chopra is a genius. It's a pleasure to be in a Yashraj film. We actors are not used to this kind of lavish treatment the way we get at the new Yashraj studios. It's like entering a new world."

Didn't Bipasha and Hrithik do an ad together long ago? "Yes," she laughed. "That ad was never released. Then I became a brand ambassador for Thumbs Up and he was endorsing Coke - same family of aerated drinks. Hrithik hasn't changed. He's still a lot of fun on the sets."

About Aishwarya Rai, her co-star in Dhoom 2 , she said: "The general impression is that she's aloof. But she's very warm and accessible, always hanging out in a group with us. There was never any hassle. She was fun.

"I get along with everyone on the sets. I don't carry those working relationships home. But I can't work under stress on the sets."

However, Bipasha admitted that her experience with first co-star Kareena Kapoor during the making of Ajnabee was "rather funny".

"But it has been smooth sailing with all my co-stars after that. I must admit I had never seen that kind of behaviour before or after," she added.

After Corporate , Bipasha feels good about being in a film with an ensemble cast. "The location supports the cast and film. There's a song Uday and me shot in Brazil. It's the most amazing song I've shot. I had tourists from Iran, Japan and other places taking my pictures. I've to confess I felt good. I loved the attention."

In Dhoom 2 the Bong bombshell also gets to speak her mother tongue! "I get to speak Bengali for the first time (as) I play a Bengali girl. I speak fluent Bengali at home with my maids and dog."

Why not a Bengali film? "I will when it comes to me. Rituparno Ghosh makes 10 announcements a day. May be one of them will be with me. Jokes aside, I really want to work with him. I hope he makes Draupai with me as he promised to."

Bipasha is pragmatic about John's absence from Dhoom 2 . "The first Dhoom did enough for John. I wasn't in it, though that was also offered to me. Now it's my turn."

Who is Abhishek scared of?

Abhishek Bachchan was struck by his challenging role in Guru .

Yes, Abhishek Bachchan actually confesses to being scared of director Mani Ratnam

Manisha Koirala on Cannes vs IFFI

Manisha says Goa has the capability of becoming an International place.

She's watching films and she's chatting up directors. Actress Manisha Koirala is in Goa and she tells us how IFFI is different from Cannes.

Rajeev Masand: Manisha, you are one of the few actors who is actually here to actually watch films.

Manisha: Yes, I have just watched Jane抯 (Jane Campion) film Holy Smoke. I have seen it before but it was great to sit and interact with her. There抯 an Iranian film I抣l be watching in the evening.

Rajeev Masand: You have been to the Cannes Film Festival. They have modeled IFFI on the Cannes. How do you think we are doing?

Manisha: Honestly, we have a long way to go but the process is on as long as we don抰 keep repeating our mistakes and we have ample opportunities that governments give. There shouldn抰 be a clash with the government. It should be a collective force of Goa to make it an International place, which it has the capacity to do.

It抯 Vivah over meals for Amrita

Amritha Rao is one dedicated actress. And it took a lot of dedication when it came to playing the main protagonist in Sooraj Barajatya抯 classic love story, 'Vivah' that traces the relationship of the couple Shahid and Amrita from engagement to marriage.

Amrita was focused so much on the role of the girl from the heart of hinterlands and her love for the man she was betrothed to that she essayed in 'Vivah', that she actually skipped meals and fell ill on the sets of the film at Film city. A close source reveals that the meal-skipping led to weakness and indigestion and she would throw up any food she ate in the make-up van. And still, would smile and walk into the sets for the next shot.

When quizzed on this, the actress simply takes it in her stride.憫 It was nothing,拻 she brushes off.憫 'Vivah' is a beautiful film and I want to give my best ever. I just skipped meals for a few days during shoots, as I wanted to work on the scenes. It sort of made an impact on my system and I took ill,拻 said Amrita.

When Sooraj Barjatya got to know about Amrita抯 skipping meals, the director was all concern. Instead of airing his concern in words, Sooraj Barjatya in his characteristic manner, did what he should.憫 He did not say a word. He actually went ahead and ensured that I have every meal with the entire unit from then on,拻 grins Amrita.

憫 There was food between breaks, between meals...they took so much care that it was really touching. Only Rajshri parivar could do such a thing. There is so much meaning in every small gesture, and this is what reflects in the film as well,拻 said Amrita.

Amrita also seems to have taken a feather from Sooraj Barjatya抯 bookwhen it comes to timeliness. She was, in fact, one of the first members to come to the shoot on the deluge day.憫 It was nothing, everyone here is so dedicated that it is important to be there on time. Sooraj ji was on the sets before me,拻 said Amrita.

An Interview with Shahid Kapoor

You have become very selective and choosy when it comes to roles on Thursday.

Yes, I am only doing one film at a time and am giving myself time to do each film. The last three years I was a newcomer and could not afford to be choosy.

扸ivah

'I don't need to resort to tactics to get attention'

From a courtesan of a different era to the super hot vamp, Aishwarya Rai believes in variety. The traditional attire of Umrao Jaan has given way to skin-showing Western outfits in Dhoom:2.
The actress talks about her action sequences, her stunning look and more.

Did you do your stunts yourself?

Yes, a couple. The high point was probably at Orabi Gorge, where we had the jump. There's this moment where Hrithik's character (Aryan) challenges mine (Sunehri) in the film to jump. She goes for it and so does he. That was an absolute high. Never in my life have I experienced just literally jumping off the edge. Of course, they looked after our safety.

You are playing a negative role in Dhoom:2. What was it like? What was the rationale behind taking on this role with negative shades?

I will not define my character as negative or positive because she's a live wire in the film and with a character that's just typically her. It will take you a while to figure her out. That was the idea when we agreed that I perform her -- you will not be able to slot her.

This is your first film with Hrithik Roshan and Bipasha Basu. How was the experience?
Superlative, just like the rest of the team, be it Abhishek, Uday. The three of them (Hrithik, Abhishek and Uday) have known each other since childhood, so they would constantly share anecdotes and make you feel that you belong to those bunch of kids who went to those birthday parties, or hung out in their schooling years. You just felt that you were part of the inner circle.

Bipasha is a cool girl, and I am glad we are a team in this film because the camaraderie was genuine. We had a blast while making the film.

What do you think of the music of Dhoom:2 as compared to Dhoom?

I would never make comparisons because Dhoom was a super success and it was a signature tune at that point in time, in every club, car...

I am glad Dhoom:2 received equal if not a bigger response. It has been very positive. I think it was very clever to have the first promo go on air with Kabhi Alvida Naa Kehna.

It is good to know that people are looking forward to this film with so much anticipation. We've had a blast making it, and can't wait to share it with our audiences.

Did you watch Dhoom? What did you think of it?
It was definitely a cluster breaker. It was aimed at the youth, but going by the success, it became a family experience. You come away with such an adrenaline rush.

The idea of Dhoom:2 as a sequel is a brilliant idea. Aditya Chopra knew what he was doing when he came up with the idea.

We were very happy to be on team. It's really funny, how 20,000 ideas fly around within the team about the next Dhoom and the next Dhoom, and the next Dhoom... It's obviously a very clever franchise.

You have so many releases coming up, what makes Dhoom:2 special?

I have been very choosy in the choice of films that I have done. This was a tough offer to resist because I thought it was perfect. So in terms of playing an out and out westernised character, so youth oriented, trend-setting, fashionable and fun, but at the same time racy, evidently hot and super cool, this was the perfect premise to do so.

If you do find Sunehri sexy at every given point, she just is. She isn't someone who is trying hard to turn it on.

So I thought it was great where, wearing shorts or short skirts, dressing a certain way was just natural to the character. It wasn't about trying to make it work on celluloid. I don't need to resort to tactics to get attention.

What was the best moment during the course of shooting the film?
The film as a whole, but I really enjoyed the team. There were a lot of laughs.

There has been a lot of talk about the fitness regime, something that I only explored very honestly for a month to five weeks before we started the film.

I didn't get a chance to really focus on fitness. So for all the talk in the media, this is the truth. It was just four-five weeks before we started (shooting) last year.

Then, both Abhishek and me had to put on weight for Mani Ratnam's Guru.

Did you enjoy shooting in South Africa?

South Africa has a home turf kind of significance in my life because I won my Miss World title in Sun City, Johannesburg. I have been there a couple of times after that.

I went to Cape Town to film Dil Ka Rishta (Ash's first home production). So my memories are very warm.

Did you do any kind of special preparation for this role?
The physical appearance was very important. We definitely worked on it. It was a body type I hadn't brought to celluloid before. Since I was going to dress a certain way, I needed to be the person who wore those clothes naturally.

People who have well toned bodies dress a certain way. When you have worked on your midriff, you like to wear shorter tops. When you have worked on your legs, you like to wear short skirts.

In terms of the styling, working with Anaita Shroff, whom I worked with several times in my career especially during my modelling days, we've worked many times before, so she knows me, my body type, my aesthetics, my comfort... So we worked together very easily and she's done a fantastic job.

The clothing feels like me. It doesn't seem uncomfortable, and that's something Anaita knows about me. We worked on it together and arrived at Sunehri. We decided that we would go with a different look in terms of makeup and hair styling. Obviously, the final verdict had to come from Adi.

I have so many different releases -- Dhoom 2, Guru, Provoked and The Last Legion. It's great that not only visually have we have arrived at a specific character, but also in terms of her mannerisms.

Choosing Hrithik over Shah Rukh in Dhoom 2

It's November's biggest film. Dhoom 2 is a much-hyped spectacular sequel, a big-budget extravaganza starring Hrithik Roshan, Aishwarya Rai, Abhishek Bachchan, Bipasha Basu and Uday Chopra.

Director Sanjay Gadhvi is all set for his biggest Friday ever. In the first part of an exclusive interview with Komal Mehta, Gadhvi discusses making a bigger, more expensive film, and choosing Hrithik Roshan. Excerpts:

How difficult it is to make a sequel?

It's much, much more difficult. To follow up a hit film with a sequel is always difficult. I think (producer) Aditya Chopra and I are aware of these things and we examine each detail minutely. So it becomes that much more difficult.

Dhoom was a hit for many reasons, and a lot of risks taken fell on the safe side of the fence. Everything clicked. One of the main reasons was the fact that nobody knew what to expect from the movie.

This time, there are big expectations. It's definitely more expensive, and bigger. We'll soon know if it's better. Everyone making a sequel -- from Krrish to Lage Raho Munna Bhai -- must have faced difficulties living up to the first success. But I think we've risen to the challenge. Let's hope for the best. (Crosses fingers)

Dhoom began this whole biking craze. What do you expect the audience to take away from this film?

We just hope the audience comes out entertained. Dhoom means 'blast'. We just want everyone to come and have a blast, so come see Dhoom 2 and have a bigger blast. It's like what Uday said the other day, 'Dhoom 2 is Dhoom times 2.' Everything is double and twice the fun.

And you've got Hrithik, Ash and Bips. I don't want to saw what the audience should take out of it but as long as you get entertained, don't look too deeply into it, don't look for the most meaningful cinema, don't look for a pathbreaking script... It's just a rollercoaster ride which, if you enjoy once, you should watch two-three times mores.

The highlight of the film seems to be Hrithik as the villain. Who decided this, you or Aditya Chopra?

It was a joint decision. I think where anything creative is concerned, Adi, being a director himself, gives all his directors enough space. He understands and looks at things from their point of view. But the fact remains that he himself is very talented and there is a lot of teamwork in Yash Raj film.

I told Adi that we need a big star to make the sequel financially viable. No one will see Dhoom 2 with a newcomer. So the choice boiled down to Shah Rukh Khan, Salman Khan, Aamir Khan or Hrithik. When asked for my opinion, I said Hrithik because he is the youngest of the four.

The feel of Dhoom would remain the same with Uday, Abhishek and Hrithik on the poster as compared to having Uday, Abhishek and Shah Rukh.

We thought we'd like to keep the youth factor going. And Abhishek, Uday and Hrithik are old buddies and somewhat of the same age. So Hrithik was our number one choice.

And obviously knowing what we could do with a bad guy in Dhoom and already having cast John Abraham in a negative role, it was challenging for us. We knew Hrithik would be definitely tempted to do it and won't say no.

Tell me something about the new characters in the film.

Hrithik is the bad guy, the thief. He's stylish, super-cool, he is hot and the women are going to like him a lot. He's daring, and probably all those things that you want in a hero except that he is on the wrong side of the law.

Ash is playing a character with negative shades, and somewhere down the line they might just team up together.

Bipasha is playing a tough cop, who talks a lot.

So in a nutshell, Uday (who is also a cop now), Abhishek and Bipasha are cops, and Hrithik and Aishwarya are robbers. And it's a cops and robbers story.

Is Rimii Sen in the movie? Or is her character now out of Jai Dixit's (Abhishek Bachchan) life?

She is ACP Jai Dixit's wife, and since Dhoom 2 isn't the kind of film where the cop's wives are abducted, killed and then revenge is taken, she's there in a friendly appearance. People don't get divorced, don't die, don't get killed and there is no revenge in Dhoom 2. So Sweety is there for a scene or two as a friendly appearance.

Would you have cast Uday Chopra if this wasn't a Yash Raj franchise?

Well, there weren't so many choices, if you ask me. I think Arshad Warsi has come into his own now but Dhoom was made before Munna Bhai had started. Uday and I had worked together in the past, and both of us had discovered the flair for comedy in each other: Mere Yaar Ki Shaadi Hai turned out to be funnier than predicted because of Uday and my sense of humour. We connected while making the movie, so I knew it would be a good move to have Uday in my film again.

Uday is tremendously sharp witted. His repartee is bang on and he's a cool guy. So the moment the three characters of Dhoom were written, I automatically started visualising Uday in the Ali role.

I think what Ali's character does to the film and what Uday does to the character of Ali is the backbone of Dhoom. If were to take out Ali from Dhoom, the film would fall flat because we would just have had John and Abhishek, the good guy and the bad guy. It would have one note missing.

Ali is the backbone of the film, with the relief he gives you. He plays it so sincerely and so well that it is difficult to think of anyone else playing it. You'd think there was no other actor who could have done this. And believe me, he not an out and out tapori. As a performance, he has created his own unique tapori.

There's no one you'll see who is like Ali's character. Yes, in parts, he is Rangeela ka Munna, Tezaab ka Munna, Munna Bhai ka Munna but he has a certain hipness. Ali shops at (Mumbai's) Hera Panna, he speaks English, he lives in Bandra, he's a cool biker, and he's a lover-boy.

Hrithik Roshan


Shah Rukh Khan

Live shows tougher, says Priyanka Chopra

Priyanka Chopra, who has been riding a high with hits like Krrish and Don this year, thinks live performances are more difficult than facing the camera.

"Live shows have to be the best, as reactions are intense and immediate," she said at a press conference hours before the inauguration of the International Film Festival of India in Panaji, Goa, on Thursday. Priyanka was to perform at the inauguration ceremony.

"They [live shows] are always exciting, as you perform in front of the film buffs who made us famous," she added.

Priyanka said she would not be in Goa for all the 10 days of IFFI. "But I am sure some of my friends in the film industry will be here to see the films, which are the best of Indian and international cinema," she continued.

"My film Krrish, which is so close to my heart, is being screened on November 30. I would have loved to see it again with a large contingent of film fans but I cannot because of prior commitments," she added.

'I've never gone on a date'

She made her debut in 2002 with Raj Kanwar's Ab Ke Baras. Yet, in her five year career, Amrita Rao is still known as the Main Hoon Na girl. She'll be hoping her Friday release, Vivah, opposite Shahid Kapoor, changes all that.
Priyanka Jain caught up with Amrita as the actress spoke about her film, director Sooraj Barjatya, and marriage. Excerpts:

What is Vivah about?

The film speaks about more than just two people falling in love with each other. It's about the depth and purity between a man and woman relationship which Soorajji has captured well. It's all about values, tradition, and commitment that is not so common in today's generation. People who have seen the rushes of the film say, 'it's so nice to see a boy give so much respect to the girl.' The influence will be good for the children.

How did you prepare to play a village girl?
Poonam, my character, is from a small town. She has no parents and lives with her uncle and aunt. When you grow up in someone else's house, there is a distinctive change in your behaviour -- you become much more sensitive and embody responsibility at a younger age, and are more mature than most girls your age. That's how Poonam is.

The marriage proposal comes from a rich business family, which has a very contrasting background from hers. The girl is a simple, pure person who does not get bedazzled by the sudden connection of wealth. Soorajji wanted me to maintain subtlety in my performance. I have never hassled any director with so many questions, but he was very patient, like a teacher. I had to work on the language nuances too.

Did you have to prepare specifically for this film?

Before meeting Soorajji for this film I had gone to Delhi for a day. But due to floods in Mumbai we had to stay back, and decided to tour Mathura and Vrindavan. I visited the Radha-Vallabh temple, the Bake Bihari temple and fell in love with the place. Their culture and spirituality, and the respect they have for others is so touching. They don't say 'hi', 'hello,' they say 'Radhe Radhe.'

I observed the girls there, and visited the temples so that when Soorajji narrated the script I knew where Poonam was coming from; knew her background and culture. It was such a beautiful coincidence. In this film my first dialogue is 'Radhe Radhe.'

Was it difficult to relate to an obedient, shy Poonam?
I have been a very shy girl myself, because of the background I grew up in. As a child I did not interact with many boys. With men, my eye-to-eye contact started only when after I started doing modelling for ads. After that I got rid of the shyness.

Even if I'm a city girl today, I've never had a boyfriend. I have never gone on a date. I don't think we have to do that only because it's cool, or because your best friend has done it. So whether it's a city girl or a girl from Mathura, it doesn't matter. The background in which the film is shot, the way she dresses, looks and speaks were different from my own sensibilities so I had to adapt, as well as fine-tune my language.

Following the success of Ishq Vishk, this is your fourth film with Shahid. How is your relationship with him off-screen?

We know each other's temperaments and moods. When an actor comes to the set you know what mood s/he is in and when you know the actor a little more, you automatically give that person space if there is a difficult scene -- not crack jokes and distract the actor. Shahid never did that, and we've always had a good tuning when we work together.

In today's age of stylish, slick movies do you think this kind of subject will work?

The film does have an old world charm; the kind of purity that existed between man and woman; the subtle nuances, shyness, respect in front of elders, etc. Basically things we don't see often in today's movies. I guess that itself is the uniqueness of the film.

Do you believe in arranged marriage? Would you go in for an arranged marriage?
It really doesn't matter whether the marriage is arranged or its love. I need enough time to know the person, because marriage is the most important decision of your life. We all meet people for the first time in this world, but some people change your entire future, your career, everything about you. So the decision has to be taken with care. We are not promoting arranged marriage as a concept. The film is about the depth of relationships.

In our country arranged marriages still happen, your parents' opinions still matter to you, and you still touch your elders' feet when you meet them. So certain emotions, values, traditions, respect, love and commitment would never fade away or be outdated, however progressive you or the society becomes.

When I get married whether it's arranged or love marriage I would want to have enough time with the person before the final decision is made.

What are you doing next?

I am cast in Bhushan Kumar's next, My Name Is Anthony Gonsalves, with Boman Irani.

'I'm waiting for Salman to see Vivah'

His fifth film releases this Friday. Sooraj Barjatya, director of Maine Pyar Kiya, Hum Aapke Hain Koun, Hum Saath Saath Hain, and Main Prem Ki Diwani Hoon is quite ecstatic about his new Vivah.

Sooraj admits Main Prem Ki Diwani Hoon was a mistake. "After the failure of Main Prem Ki Diwani Hoon, which was based on my own idea, I went to my father. He then gave me this story saying that it will bring back my confidence as a director."

The director told Priyanka Jain about the film, Shahid Kapoor and Salman Khan.

What is Vivah about?

Vivah is the journey from engagement to marriage. It's that phase of life when one glows naturally. During the courtship period, we all do things to make the other person happy whether it is going kilometres to buy a card or dress up well to bring a smile to the partners lips.

But after marriage, the zing goes away as day-to-day issues crop up. I hope after watching Vivah people will relive those moments and bring back that effort in their marriage, so that there will be fewer disturbances in marital life.

What are Shahid and Amrita Rao's characters like in the film?

Shahid plays Prem, a soft-spoken modern Delhi boy while Amrita plays Poonam, a traditional Indian girl from Mathura.

In the film, Prem and Poonam meet each other for the first time first time through their families. After engagement they have a six-month courtship. In this process they talk, spend time together. When they hold hands for the first time, it conveys that they have accepted each other.

Is it based on a real-life story?

Like for all my earlier films, my father gave the subject. All my films have had emotional alleviation of the characters and an emotional climax. This film is based on a newspaper column my father read 16 years ago.

In an age where young people are questioning the very institution of marriage, how well do you think they will accept a film like this?

Marriage is just a backdrop of the film. It's a family-oriented film. People ask me why I don't make films in other genres. The family audience is from children to 80 year olds. Where else do you get such a big expanse? There are so many stories revolving around relationships to be told.

In the film, the girl's family is not asking her to just marry a guy of their choice. They tell her to consider it, but make her own decision. Arranged/love marriages are all roads that finally lead to finding a life partner, and why not try and take advantage of the parent's experience? I honestly believe our parents know us much better than ourselves.

Don't we all go to temples to pray, sometime or the other? That simplicity will always remain in us. We all believe in good things and moments in life. I think this film will come as a whiff of fresh air amongst the fast-paced films.

In the five films that you have made your lead hero's name has never changed. How was this 'Prem' born? Why do you repeat that name in all your films?

This goes back 15-16 years back when I wrote my first film Maine Pyar Kiya. Salman, our team, and I were debating on what to name the character. We thought we would name the character from the biggest hit of Rajshri productions, which was Nadiya Ke Paar. But the hero was called Chandan in that film, and it didn't sound very interesting so we went on to the next big hit Dulhan Vahi Jo Piya Man Bhaaye. The hero in this film was called Prem, So we lifted the name from there. For me, the word Prem represented a shy, sensitive character which is so dear to me.

You come across like Prem. What's the connection?

Prem is what I am and to some extent what I would like to become. Every filmmaker has his own reflection in the film so you can say in some parts Prem is like me, and in some parts what I would like to be.  

Salman's poster appears in Vivah. Is he is your lucky mascot? Why didn't you take Salman for this film?

Salman's poster being a part of the film was mere coincidence. While filming in Ghaziabad, his film poster was stuck on a clock tower.

The film is about a 25-year-old, so how I can take a 40-year-old for the same? Shahid is a sensitive, versatile actor. He has given his own interpretation to the character by playing today's man. I'm waiting for Salman to see the film, and tell me how Shahid has done.

Today in an age of slick, high-tech entertainers, where do you think your film with its old-world charm will stand?

In this age, people still come to see a village film or a period film. Rang De Basanti had Bhagat Singh, Lage Raho Munna Bhai had Gandhi� There is nothing like a multiplex or small town film. A good film is a good film.

Every maker has his own sensitivity. The films of this genre come naturally to me. Relationships and their depth are what I like to portray in my films. My grandfather always said that Rajshri Productions is here to provide wholesome family entertainment.

I have not made a film thinking that 'this' is the audience for which I am making it. Every filmmaker makes what he believes in, otherwise it will not look real on screen. Due to the Main Prem Ki Diwani Hoon experience, I learnt I should make what I can and not look at marketability. I hope the audience comes and appreciates the film.

Over all these years, you've only made five films. Do we get to see your films more regularly in the future?

Rajshri Pictures has completed 60 years. It's a very emotional moment for all of us. As a production house, we have plans to make 2-3 films from next year and are looking at promoting young filmmakers. But as a director, I can make a film only when I am ready to. I do the writing myself, and then till I live those characters, I can't make a film.

Dino抯 making a noise!  

He抯 known for his good-looks, charm and cool attitude. And he抯 quite a hot topic with women. But on-screen actor Dino Morea still has a long way to go. He抯 has good screen presence and we抎 like to see more of him, but good scripts seem to elude him. However, given his acumen for business (his chain of restaurants are doing famously well), Dino has another plan up his sleeve. He抯 been toying with the idea of launching a production house; we heard that now he抯 plunged headlong into it. And for all you know he might be re-launching himself with a big bang. Now that抯 the noise we are so looking forward to!  



[ Last edited by  Gadis_Venus at 27-11-2006 05:00 PM ]

John抯 been feeling 慴lue

SRK: All play and no work?  

The King Khan is having a field day. Literally. After a long time a shoot has been 'all play' for the actor. We guess SRK took the 'all work and no play makes you a dull boy' phrase too seriously. No wonder we heard of him partying with a gang of eleven gals (only his co-stars) in Australia where they're shooting for Chak De. We're just kidding guys; we can't ever imagine the dynamic SRK being even vaguely dull - on-screen or off-screen. But the fact is that he's been playing a lot of hockey on the field, all for the film of course. That's making up for all the heavy-duty work-outs which have become Shah Rukh's regimen lately. Well, 'work hard, play harder' - that's the new mantra. What say, SRK?