By Fuad Omar
Asiangigs exclusively covered a first-time photographic exhibition entitled The Soul
and the master photographer has returned once more with his usual
 dash of magic and star power.
Subi Samuel had his second exhibition entitled '2 the Soul' on April 23rd onwards and was on cloud nine for many days pre
and post the event. The man and his portraits and innovative way of
picturising stars was the object of affection as television crews,
newspapers and magazines hounded him to talk about his exclusive collection
that shows how photography is truly an art. So impressed was Kajol with her
photographs by him that she inaugurated the event which took place at the
Embers Pub in association with the Regent on April 23rd, just days before
the superstar photographer's birthday. The guest list read like the Who's
Who of the industry with Madhuri Dixit, Bipasha Basu, Amisha Patel, Hema
 Malini and Esha Deol, Aftab Shivdasani, Shilpa and Shamita Shetty, Diya
Mirza, Amrita Arora, Rahul Dev, Meghna Gulzar and father and many more
attending to compliment his work.
The photographs themselves were the stars
and among the highlights were pictures of Aftab as a gangster-dwarf (really!
You have to see it to believe it!), Abhishek floating with a helium balloon,
Bipasha Basu as an angel with a twist and the unique dimply smile of Preity
Zinta, coupled of course with exquisite masterpieces of Amitabh Bachchan,
Kajol and Madhuri Dixit. "It went so well, it's all God's Grace," said the
humble and very in-demand photographer, "but this is just the beginning. The
book and another exhibition is in the works."
Selfridges has begun what it's calling it's 23 and a half days of
Bollywood,
 with an exterior design worthy of a wedding decoration and interior design that
attempts to reflect the stars of Bollywood. I'd describe the event as an
exhibition because as you'd go to an art gallery and see paintings, here you
'll see Bollywood items and memorabilia. But rather than there being a gift
shop at the end which you can pass through to exit, there's a gift shop
after every painting, and one too that pockets heftily from its promotion.
It's nice to walk through Dimple's house and see Salman's sherwani and even
sit on a £2000 chair, but the term 'Who Stole the Soul' comes to my mind. I
have nothing against Selfridges and it's nice to walk through the Bollywood
section but does anyone else get a feeling they've stolen slices of our
culture, added an extortionate price tag and sold it back to us based on
Bollywood's popularity minting more moolah than the film distributors got in
the last year? Everywhere you look at, you can buy. Be it pani puri or
 pre-wedding garments, all with a Bollywood sticker on it made.especially for
Selfridges. The attitude of Selfridges has been such that they are doing
this to help and promote our cinema and culture, well if that was the case
why are they making the most money out of it? The Bollywood bags and
home-made Selfridges stuff may be pleasant to the eye but it gives nothing
back to our cinema and I'm sure of all the people attending the event a
large chunk of them will be buying something to eat, drink or spray on.
If there is one good thing that has come out of what is a cash-in-on-the-craze
exercise is that you get to see some of your
favourite stars. Karan and Yash Johar attended to sign copies of their CDs,
books and DVDs last weekend and were mobbed for long after the signing session.
People just wanted to thank Karan for K3G or congratulate him on its success
or simply know what's next. The director with a heart bigger than the
feelgood factor his films carry, smiled and obliged every fan who requested
an autograph or photograph, even after the signing session. Hrithik will
take to the catwalk modelling Rocky S' designs on Tuesday 15th May which
 should wet your appetite for his forthcoming UK tour.
Vivek Oberoi is fast becoming the next big thing. He works round the clock
and gives his all whenever he faces the camera and in-between shots is
constantly focussing on his character and making sure everything is perfect.
People can't stop raving about him in Company. That was him in a gritty
role, now just watch how the man is transformed when you see him in a
different light (literally as a different lens and lighting is used). His
forthcoming releases are Shaad Ali's Saathiya (which is co-produced by Yash
Chopra) and E Niwas' Dum. "My second film Saathiya, which is being directed
by Shaad Ali, didn't need as much work as Company (preparation-wise),
because I closely identify with the setting and the personality of my
character. But it would be unfair to say that Saathiya is an easier film
compared to Company" says Vivek. And what's next for the man who's in no
time become an important part of the industry? "Then I'm doing Rajat Mukherjee's
Road with Manoj Bajpai and Antara Mali.
There is also Dum with Diya Mirza, which is directed by E Niwas. After that
there is Vinod Chopra's film. So, I'm pretty booked until the end of 2002."
If there's one thing I really take my hat (or cap) off to Asiangigs for, it'
s their wedding services. You know, when I get married I'm going to Ajay and
asking him to be as well as a very treasured friend and attendee, also help
me plan it out. With choreographers ready to arrange dancers and bridal
make-up artistes his site has everything. And with wedding season just
around the corner it all comes in very handy too! Some of the things you don't
see on the site, enquire about them.
Yash Raj Films are
inviting filmgoers to their own event of the year at just the right time
with exactly the right emphasis. Bring in the wedding season with the
wedding of the year - Mere Yaar Ki Shaadi! "You are invited.to the wedding
of the Yaar" says the invite showing Uday Chopra and Jimmy Shergill carrying
 a doli holding newcomer Sanjana. The fun-filled film is set to steal your
heart with its feel alone and fresh look. Uday and Jimmy look fabulous and
anyone who has seen the artist formerly known as Tulip in her model photos
will note how she's been given a Yash Chopra makeover as well as christened
with a new name. The music is already out and doing well, and the film is
all set for a June release just in time for you to add another wedding date
and an invite into your diary. So dress well, bring mithai and get ready for
fun, music and masti at the wedding of the year, I mean..yaar!
While I'm on the topic of Yash Chopra's releases, let me clarify something
that has appeared on various web sites and papers everywhere and that is - Kajol and Shah Rukh are appearing together in Aditya Chopra's next
film. This is NOT true and is someone's overactive imagination hoping for it
to happen. Don't believe the hype by people who seem to prefer fiction to
fact and know that Yash Chopra himself is coming out with the truth: "Contrary to all the rumours circulating lately, Yash Raj Films would like
to clarify that Aditya Chopra hasn't initiated his next directorial venture
yet. In fact he has not even finalised the story or the cast for his next
film, as he's presently preoccupied with the production of Yash Raj Films'
soon-to-be- released forthcoming movies. With this statement, Yash Raj Films
would like to inform its fans that there's no truth whatsoever in these rumours." There you have the official version.
I recently met Shah Rukh Khan to talk to him about the From
India With Love
event. Meeting Shah Rukh is always more than a pleasure, it's an experience.
I'm actually grateful for people like him who make me feel the quest for the
holy grail that is breaking the barrier that holds back our cinema from
flowing into the 'main-stream' is progressing, and deservedly so. Many
stars, actors and directors tend to do interviews that promote themselves
and their movies, which is natural. You have a product and your access to
the media should be used to promote something you've just poured your heart
and soul into. But Shah Rukh does more than that. One of the main reasons I'
ve stuck to film journalism is because of my deep passion for Indian cinema
and the desire to gain it the appreciation it deserves. Mother India,
Sangam, Sholay, all of Mr Bachchan's and Shammi Kapoor's films and many more
have formed my celluloid-shaped vision as I was growing up. As I entered
film journalism in the UK, I realised that our cinema was not given the status it deserved, nor were the efforts as appreciated as much as
other foreign cinema. To me, cinema is cinema. It's words and pictures
flashing through your retina at 24 frames-per-second conjuring up magical
feelings, sensations and entertaining your being in the time you sit there
mesmerised by the flickering palette that speaks to your soul. It doesn't
matter what language it's in, cinema is as endearing and special wherever it
originates. Indian cinema embodies us. It's what I described to a journalist
from the Guardian as our "Force" as George Lucas would put it. "It binds us,
surrounds us and flows through us," and is "more powerful than anything you
can ever imagine". I got a bizarre look in return but then a smile and a
compliment for the analogy. Promoting our cinema and taking it to
international acceptance level is what I breathe, live and do and people like
 Shah Rukh make the vision and journey for me much more easier. He not only
has contributed so much to film, but shares the vision and makes it a
reality. He puts his baby on the walls of every tube station and
single-handedly stopped central London for his glitzy Asoka premiere (the
first of its kind for an Indian film) which refused to be ignored. He speaks
to foreign journalists promoting more than himself, the greater cause and
tries to explain to them what our cinema is about and understands he has to
give them a little at a time. His new film Devdas will premiere at Cannes
and that means many people who aren't usual Indian cinema-goers will see the
film and it will gain the attention it deserves. People like Shah Rukh make
my quest more enjoyable, worth it and rewarding because he too sees the same
holy grail I'm striving towards. So via Asiangigs (who carried his last
interview about Asoka in its uncut and full version) I want to say THANK YOU
SHAH RUKH!
Speaking of the Force, don't forget to also catch Star Wars Episode 2:
Attack of the Clones which opens next week. Ayesha Dharker of Terrorist fame
is in it as are a few other Asian faces, (whether or not you'll recognise
them under the make-up is another question). May the Force Be With You! |
