The Latest Bollywood Happenings

By Fuad Omar.

5th Nov 2001

Sometimes I call this section Happenings, sometimes it ends up being more a personal diary and this time I'm calling it the Latest. Either way, this is some of the Bollywood's goings on in the past month.

The past month has been a hectic one where Bollywood's concerned to say the least. Shah Rukh left for New York after his UK trip to promote Asoka, which was meteoric from the start. He met more fans in the few days here than ever before and appreciated everyone who came out to wave, say hello or just scream their lungs out. Even camped outside the Big Breakfast were the die-hards who braved the cold and got wind that their idol was in town and waited patiently to greet their screen idol. Birmingham's Star City also left an impression with so many people turning up he was literally mobbed. The two screens showing Asoka at the time were packed out ensuring the 700 seats were occupied, leaving many hoping to get tickets for the next showing soon. With people banging on his car going hysterical, trembling and crying before him out of disbelief they were meeting their hero, this surely was one trip Shah Rukh Khan will never forget. He's done us proud with the promotion of his film with its posters appearing everywhere and him being on TV every time you turn it on, be it breakfast, an evening chart show or late night film reviews, he was there. BBC covered his trip to Brick Lane where the locals couldn't believe their eyes either, and it's hard to believe the manic panic of his visit is over, but he's taken the message with him and appreciates the support beyond words.

November 2nd was Shah Rukh's birthday and he received the best birthday present from his fans ever - they've made Asoka an international success! Apart from the critical acclaim of all magazines and newspapers, Asoka is doing fantastic business reaping almost quarter of a million pounds in its opening weekend alone at the multiplexes. Despite some camps reporting the film is not doing well, the film has consistently sold out at Odeon and Warner Village cinemas every weekend, and the audience is not primarily Asian. Those who have been checking Asiangigs.com regularly will already have read my review of the film, and the exclusive conversation with Shah Rukh on the movie, putting Indian cinema on the international map and more. Asoka officially entered the UK Top Ten in its first week of release, let's see if we can keep it there and show that this is a film we're proud of.

What else has been going on in the wonderful world of Bollywood? Well I've been in touch with Mr Suresh Oberoi, who many of you may remember from superhit films of the 70s and 80s, playing mostly a bad guy or a father, with anguish portrayed as never seen since on screen with kidnapped daughters or lost sons, this man has seen it all - on screen of course. Off screen I found out he runs a positivity course in life, and has opened what is being called SOUL - the Suresh Oberoi University of Life. I'll definitely be checking it out when I head to Mumbai soon and give you all an exclusive insight on what it teaches and whether he has any plans to bring it to the UK soon. His son Vivek Oberoi is also making waves in the film industry as he's fully booked with films before his first one has even come out, and that too fully booked until 2003! Vivek Oberoi is next year's dark horse who could just take the world by storm. Watch for him!

With so many books on Bollywood flooding the market, and so many of them not being up to the mark, it was refreshing to find Gulzar-saab in town and that too promoting one that is long overdue. We finally get a book that covers all of Bollywood from the silent era to the today and possible tomorrow in a new book called Bollywood - Popular Indian Cinema. It's a hardback and very colourful coffee table book that not only looks good but reads well too. It' s written by prominent voice in Indian cinema such as Gulzar writing a chapter on music and it being the thread that binds life's moments together, Shyam Benegal contributing to the filmmaking aspect and more on other aspects of the Indian film industry. I heard about the book from the publishers and was invited to its launch, which I couldn't make due to prior commitments, but had the pleasure of meeting Gulzarsaab independently nonetheless. He's an awesome man, full of so much knowledge and wisdom, all which comes through in his writing, I'm so glad to see a book written by filmi people, rather than someone who has not seen the industry up-close commenting on what they think it's about and grabbing quotes that aren't really that useful, as has been done all-too-often. This Bollywood big book is up-to-date as it even goes so far as mention recent films such as Nayak's fate and is packed with great pictures from your favourite films and stars. It's rarely I recommend a Bollywood book, (the last being Anupama Chopra's Making of Sholay), but this one does come with my seal of approval. If you want a journey through Indian cinema on paper, with enough resource material to write your dissertation, this one is worth picking up (although whether you can afford it is another matter, but investments tend to pay off). The only place I've found the book available at the moment is the publisher's website which is http://www.dakinibooks.com, which has more info on it as well as how to get it, but hopefully it'll find its way into your local bookshop soon, else do pick up a copy if you are keen and can. This book coming out was a real good thing for the month of October, because it's about time we had a good book on Bollywood.

The Kabhi Khushi Kabhie Gham promotion has been stepped up a bit and there's a chance Karan may even be coming to town soon to talk about his film and the book that accompanies it. Many have confused the book (which is releasing in December), with the booklet you get free with the film's CD. They are not the same. The one with the CD is simply a hardback 28-page pictorial memory of the songs and where they were shot. It's great and worth buying the CD for (as well as the popular songs which are now even showing up at weddings!), but don't believe this is the K3G book, because that one is still to come!

One thing people keep pulling me up on, (and especially this month) is my non-stop praise for Kareena Kapoor. I admit sometimes I can go overboard, but like her sister, I really believe she's being underrated. Kareena has not only done a great job in Asoka but has more to come, and not only in K3G. Since I first met her and saw her actually working and giving a shot, I was mesmerised since, because like a lightswitch she can literally turn her talent on. One or two rehearsals is all that's needed then the director's 'ACTION!' may as well be saying stand back, she's about to have you awe-struck. After JP Dutta's Refugee, Kareena set the screen ablaze with Mujhe Kucch Kehna Hai and Ajnabee (I didn't like either, but they gained her a popular commercial following) and Yaadein flopped but no one complained about her performance because there was nothing to complain about. After Refugee, her co-star Abhishek hasn't has as much luck, but is still determined to conquer the big screen. His films have not been on par with his untapped potential which we all saw glimpses of in Refugee, and believe me the boy has immense talent.

Kareena had the right films lined up after Refugee and Abhishek had a few duds, but now they are all set to be reunited once more. The duo that were due to star together in Sohail Khan's Aryan, found the project being shelved but have been paired together for Boney Kapoor's new film to be directed by Satish Kaushik. Kareena and Satish Kaushik worked together earlier in Mujhe Kucch Kehna Hai that turned out to be a surprise hit.

Besides the Boney Kapoor film, Abhishek and Kareena will also be seen in Sooraj Barjatya's Main Prem Ki Deewani hoon, although don't expect to see the pair to light up the screen together in that one as Abhishek is only doing a special appearance in the film which has its main star in Hrithik Roshan. Having said that, this film is also carrying reports from those who' ve seen the shots canned so far that Kareena is simply amazing. Watch her closely, I really do believe a screen legend is in the making. Am I going on about her again? Oops!

In this happenings article I also wanted to take the time to thank you all who read my work and support this web site. Asiangigs.com is definitely a one-stop entertainment and listings shop that hasn't got the recognition it deserves yet and so I'm just pointing it out. It lists entertainment services and should be your only stop when looking for wedding entertainment, dance schools or even hall or music hire. You can even buy your DVDs here and check out a brand new band Abz-Salute Bliss on the site who are making waves on the live circuit in and around London's unis from what I hear. The site has definitely grown a lot since its beginnings and I am proud to be associated with it, and always will. As I wrote a few months back there will be more exclusives coming your way, and I have made good on that promise with the Asoka specials, the Shah Rukh interview and the many more things we have lined up for you all, which include Bollywood give-aways. Your support is much appreciated by myself, Ajay the webmaster and all associated with this site, and all I can say is keep plugging the site at your unis, colleges, weddings and hold on.because the ride is about to get faster, more exciting and have even more of your favourite stars!

Don't forget if you have any questions you want to ask the stars you can send them in too, I'm currently taking questions for the next few interviews lined up with Bipasha Basu, Esha Deol, Diya Mirza and Kareena Kapoor, as well as Hrithik Roshan and Aftab Shivdasani.

Wishing you all the best and a Happy Diwali and Prosperous New Year from me and all at Asiangigs.com.