Happenings report from Bollywood (August 2002).

By Fuad Omar

There's so much to report this time, let's get straight into it!

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Sohail Khan’s film Maine Dil Tujhko Diya is almost released and all eyes on are on the extremely well-publicised movie that’s hoping to launch the junior (but technically senior) Khan in front of the camera. The love story that was written and initially offered to Hrithik Roshan before stardom and craze hit the nation and could not be accommodated date-wise by the young phenomenon, left Sohail screen-testing himself for the role. “It wasn’t something that happened overnight as a conscious decision like ‘hey, I’ll get into acting!’. I was more confident of directing and hesitated but after auditioning myself for the role found I tested well on screen, so here I am.”

Sohail has always been called ‘the pretty-looking one’ by Salman who insists his younger bro should be in front of the camera more than he should. The close-knit family are going all out to promote Sohail’s debut and after having proved himself technically, he could just be the first all-round film machine to hit the industry! What do you think Sohail?

“Are you mad! No way! It was a crazy shoot trying to act and direct and make the film how I wanted it to be. Auzaar happened when I was 21, Pyaar Kiya To Darna Kya when I was 23 and two years later Hello Brother, so I’ve proved myself as a director. I’m an experienced technician and direction comes easy to me. But to act in my own film too, man that was tough. I had no time for myself between the two roles, but the whole thing was quite an experience. I have no complaints. I shot the film just the way I wanted to.”

Sohail started working out at the same time as Salman and has a mean body to boot. He’s down to earth and has achieved so much success already with his films and GS Entertainment company that brings you so many shows every year. Go see his film, it’s a commercial venture with all the elements of a formulaic Hindi flick and looks fresh (as expected of Sohail). 

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Kaante has been delayed slightly and will now release on September 6th with a host of premieres across the world including the UK. Shot primarily in Los Angeles, Kaante was the first film to be made with a Hollywood film crew, and be made in Hollywood style even with in-sync sound. Starring Amitabh Bachchan, Sanjay Dutt, Sunil Shetty, Kumar Gaurav, Lucky Ali, Mahesh Manjrekar, Rati Agnihotri, Malaika Arora, Isha Kopikkar, Namrata Cooper and Gulshan Grover, the film could set new standard of scale for Indian films, given the western look and feel of the film. 

“It’s about six guys who meet in jail. All six are out of luck and decide to change that by pulling off a bank robbery together,” said Sanjay Gupta. “How they plan it, execute and rob the bank and how their internal differences destroy them forms the crux of the film.” Boasting Sanjay Dutt doing what he does best and Amitabh slotting into a more angry, renegade role than before the film, looks set to have many highlights, and I hope it really does end up being what it promises, because to be honest I haven’t liked Sanjay Gupta’s stuff before. He’s aiming for the prime Indian market this time and jokes about how “although I’ve taken all forty plus actors, I’m targeting a 15-25 aged audience!”. I have no hesitation in saying I feel Sanjay Gupta is technically brilliant, but lacks the other qualities to make a good film.  In my eyes he still has to prove himself, and fingers crossed this time he will. Aatish was good, Jung not-so-good and Hameshaa was too boring and drawn out. Kaante looks interesting but is too reminiscent of Reservoir Dogs in its look and too Hollywood in its feel, but all this could just work for it, because at the end it sure as hell looks cool. Question Sanjay Gupta about his ‘inspirations’ as Aatish was Sean Penn’s State of Grace and Jung was another Hollywood flick, he’ll laugh and say, “I will beg, borrow and steal from any medium, be it films, newspapers, magazines, reality or fiction to make an interesting story!” At least he’s honest about it! Watch for Kaante and the whole gang of the film coming this side in the first week of September.

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Vivek Oberoi is engaged. The boy wonder was joined in semi-matrimony to long-time girlfriend Gurpreet on August 1st 2002 with a small ceremony at his house followed by a party at the swanky nightspot Rain.

“I’ve been planning this engagement for months. I just couldn't find the free time to go ahead with it. I can't remember a time when I wasn’t with her. The engagement just seems like a formality, nothing else,” said Vivek. “I’m committed to her for life, she’s a part of my career and success. I can’t imagine life without her and am glad this small formality is finally happening.”

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Hot Bollywood designer Neeta Lulla launched a line of ethnic Indian wear entitled “Neeta Lulla for Biba” at Piramyd Megastore in Mumbai on July 28. Surprisingly for a Bollywood designer the clothes she has released are priced in the affordable bracket of Rs.1500 - 5000 which means starting at twenty quid a pop. Against a backdrop of the haveli of Devdas, she also put on an exhibition of Ash’s character’s clothes from the film, which had many gasping for breath. The mannequins also showed off Lulla’s outfits for Kiron Kher, Smita Jayakar, Ananya Khare, Abha Mukherjee as well as the special attraction of the dhoti-kurta that Shah Rukh wore, created by Abu Jani and Sandeep Khosla. 

“Devdas has been a fantastic and unforgettable experience and helped this launch,” said Neeta excited. Shah Rukh Khan arrived wearing a V-neck white tee and Ash was displaying a black and gold sari as the two unveiled the exhibition. “Neeta makes such wonderful costumes, I wish she could dress me up too. I wish I was a girl, then even I could wear these lovely ghagra-cholis,” joked Shah Rukh.

Ash called Neeta’s designs “fabulous” and is already a huge fan of Neeta’s work, only working with her in most cases. Neeta returned the compliment by saying how “Designing for Aishwarya is a dream, but also a challenge. She’s a beautiful woman, and what I design for her, must highlight the subtle nuances of her beauty, style and personality, without overpowering or overdoing it.” 

Sanjay Leela Bhansali arrived with his mum and Bharat Shah, as well as Amisha Patel and Abu Jani. The director commented when asked how he felt about all this: “My film has done well, I'm relaxed and happy. Let the show go on.” The crowds chanted ‘Devdas!’ to Shah Rukh who was overwhelmed with the support. 

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With Devdas doing so well and everyone having an opinion on it, it’s no surprise Mr Bachchan himself had a lot to say about it and was full of praise. Commented Amitabh:

“I saw his Devdas and I was simply bowled over. It was a brilliant experience. I went with a lot of apprehensions, lots of biased assumptions. They were all washed away when the film started. There has been a lot of talk about there being no soul in the film, only visual decoration. But I fell in love with every frame. Maybe it’s a new kind of emotional experience for mainstream cinema. But I felt it was very strongly presented. I’d love to work with Sanjay. But I think I’ve missed the bus.”

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Hrithik's new film with Kareena and Rani that sees Chalo Cinema host Kunal Kohli finding his way behind the director's chair is almost upon us. The films slated to release in August has been having a great publicity campaign with friendship festivals being held everywhere in India with all sorts of competitions that entice with the grand prize of a chance to fly to the premiere of the film and meet the stars. The Hrithik-Rani-Kareena film Mujhse Dosti Karoge that was shot partly in the UK looks all set to storm the big screen in style in a feelgood film about friendship that seems fresh and hopefully lives up to expectations. Watch for it yourself and watch for where it's details only on www.asiangigs.com!