Telegu Film Director R. Narayan Murthy Coming to Bollywood

Famous director of Telegu film industry R. Narayan Murthy is now coming with the "Yeh Dharti Hamara" which is a remake of his telegu film "Yerrasainyam". Though he is popular face in Telegu film industry, he is not that much familiar in Bollywood. Fans are waiting for the movie as Bollywood fans are also interested to see some R. Narayan magic in Bollywood. Andhracafe reported:

The story, screenpaly, direction and production are all taken up by him single handed. The movie is to be completed in two weeks and the welcome by the Bollywood cinegoers is awaited. If this gives good results we will get all his Telugu films in Hindi.

This is good news that fans of Bollywood will be able to watch some of the masterpieces from this benevolent director of Telegu film industry. I hope he will be successful to show the magic he is used to show Telegu language films.

A Class Stars of Indian Movie Reluctance to Star in Mira Nair’s AIDS Based Movie

Mira Nair, a famous Indian director, has recently said that Bollywood’s A list stars do not want to be involved in the movie based on dead-threatened disease HIV/AIDS. Mira is going to make a 12 minute movie based on HIV/AIDS. The initiative has been taken by the Bill and Melinda Gates foundation in order to protect AIDS from this second largest country in the world. It is noteworthy that recently the number of AIDS patient in India has been increased much. The foundation will fund four 12 minute movies on this issue. Femalefirst reported:

Nair will direct one of four low-budget, 12-minute movies to be shown in cinemas ahead of full-length Bollywood films, which will be funded by the charity Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation.

But Nair says she was unable to get top Bollywood actors to feature in the shorts because of the association with the disease.

She says, "Lots of stars don't want to be associated with the virus. Some live and don't learn."

It looks very odd that an American based foundation has come forward to prevent this disease from India whereas Indian stars do not feel having any responsibility to the issue. I do not think that acting in a role of AIDS patient can cause decrease of his or her popularity. Then I would like to ask those stars that Shilpa Sheety acted in a AIDS based movie and was critically acclaimed for her role of a AIDS patient. Now she is winning the heart of both English and Indian people. I hope stars will extend their hand to this great initiative.

Karan Johar and Samir Nair may Join into NDTV Following Kaun Banega Crorepati and Koffee with Karan

Karan Johar may join into a new entertainment television channel of NDTV. Now Karan is busy with his second episode Koffee with Karan for the star channel. It has been reported that Star Channel’s two most popular television show Kaun banega Crorepati hosted by Shah Rukh Khan and Karan Johar hosted Koffee with Karan will be followed by NDTV and Karan and Samir Nair will also join with NDTV’s newly entertainment channel. Indiafm reported:

How can that be? My relationship with Star during the first season of Koffee has been fantastic. At the same time my association with NDTV is my future on television. Let's see how it goes. I don't want to jump the gun and make plans for the future. Koffee with Karan is a Star brand-show," says Karan currently in Dubai promoting Koffee.

As for Sameer Nair's move into NDTV. "Pranoy Roy who's the man behind NDTV is a great visionary. I'm proud to be part of NDTV. As for Samir, he's a tremendously intelligent man. He has proven himself time and again in the world of television. And I'm sure he'll be a winner in whatever he does."

Fatigued, he brightens as he watches his closest friend Shah Rukh on the first episode of the new KBC. "I haven't been on the set to watch him shoot. But I did his clothes on KBC. I just hope my Koffee matches up to the high standards set by shah Rukh. We've put in our best. This time around I'm far more relaxed with the format. I'm hoping I'm less worried with my guests. I'm no longer a debutant."

"Television is the future. Anyone in the visual media is advised to take the plunge. I'm happy to have my talk show on one channel and the privilege of making software for another channel. I was lucky to get the opportunity to get into TV ahead of my colleagues. And that NDTV, a channel I really respect, considered me good enough for their entertainment channel is really flattering for me. Because at the end of the day, I’m not a TV person. I'm a filmmaker."

"Even before he became a superstar in the movies he was a well-known name on television. So he's come a full circle. Shah Rukh is an entertainer and a warm, emotional human being. That combination will succeed tremendously in KBC. I've seen how he interacts with all his loyal fans. Shah Rukh is very confident on television. As for me I want to entertain on both television and in cinema. I'm full of ideas."

"Whatever they want me to do on NDTV I'll do for them. But tele-films? Nooooo! I don't think so. The two mediums are totally exclusive. Television is for talk shows, game shows etc. I'll make feature films only for the big screen. I'll make software for NDTV. With Shah Rukh doing television that sense of television being cinema's poor cousin is gone. If you ask me, my brand value has tripled after my talk show on television. More people want to see my films because they see me on television. It's a communication medium of instant gratification. I love it. But cinema is my first love. I've enough time to take care of both mediums. As a filmmaker, I've my own directorial venture this year. Then there's my associate Tarun's film and an animation film. There's lots of room for television. I've learnt one thing from my father. Never put your feet up. How can they be up? They should always be on the ground for walking. There's always time to do more.

It is a good idea of Karna Johar. If he appears more in television then it will help Karan to be in touch of people and will attract more fans for his movies.

Karan Johar Coming Again with His TV Show Koffee with Karan

Benevolent figure of Bollywood, Karan Johar, a writer, director, producer and actor in a row, is going to start the second season of his popular television show named "Koffee with Karan,'' which has been critically acclaimed and got a huge popularity. In this show, a Bollywood star comes and talks with Karna in different issues including personal, career etc. Some big name including Big B Amitabh Bachchan, King Khan Shah Rukh Khan, Rani Mukherjee, Abhishek Bachchan, Priety Zinta and Mallika Sherawat have been appeared in this show. Now in the second season, Karan wants to draw some more interesting stars who will give much amusement to the audiences. The Star Online reported:

"If they are fun and irreverent then I'm good. If they are stiff and do not open up, I can't do anything about it,'' he said. "I like guests who are easy, chatty and mad.'' Bollywood celebrities agreed to come on his show because they trust him, he said.

"Everyone comes because they trust me. They know that I'd never offend them on TV,'' he said. "I'd never cross the line. I'd push the envelop but never tear it.''

Karan has directed three Bollywood movies and all of these has been successful and created a buzz in the Industry. Karan directed movies are "Kabhi Alvida Na Kahna,” "Kabhi Khushi, Kabhi Gham'' and "Kal Ho Na Ho''. The three movies are also written by this multi-talented figure.

The show got a huge success in its first attempt, and now Karan is trying to get some more interesting stars. So, it seems the show will continue making boom among the people. However, the reality is that this time the show will have to compete with another popular television show Kaun Banega Crorepati hosted by popular Bollywood star Shah Rukh Khan. Let’s see who wins the race.

Filmfare’s Top Ten List of Powerful Figures in Bollywood for 2006

America’s Local fanzine Filmfare have recently published a list of ten powerful names where Yash Chopra is regarded as the most powerful and influential person in Bollywood in the last year. It is undoubtedly true that most of the super hit movies of 2006 was either produced or distributed or both by the most popular production house, Yash Raj Films, owned by famous personality Yash Chopra. The list also involves the Kins Khan named Bollywood star Shah Rukh Khan, legend Amitabh Bachchan. Among the directors Sanjay Leela Bhansali and Karan Johar have been placed at the list. Rani Mukherjee is the only actress who is included in the list. Money Control reported:

Superstar Amitabh Bachchan, stays at the No 3 spot, while in the women department, only Rani Mukherji manages to get some female power into the top ten on the list.

When Bollywood's bigwigs were asked who they felt deserved to be at the top spot this year, their replies almost sounded like a chorus.

"Brand Yashraj - what they have done to Indian cinema is fantastic. They have contributed to the exhibition, distribution, music, production: on every level this year, they have gone out there and proven themselves,” said filmmaker Karan Johar.

"Yash Chopra," chirped Rani Mukherji.

"Yashraj - They are in every field of filmmaking. They have covered every aspect of it: production, direction, financing and all,” said filmmaker Kunal Kohli.”

Yash Chopra was, for sure, the most powerful figure in Bollywood last year. Dhoom 2 and Faana, the two super hit movies of 2006 was produced and distributed by Yash Raj Films. Besides, Krrish, one of the most successful movies of Bollywood, was distributed by Yash Raj Films. So, it is very clear that Yash Raj was the super star in Bollywood last year.

Review of Vivah: A Challenge for Sooraj Barjatya

Sooraj Barjatya is a famous Director of making marriage and family movie. He is expert in making these kinds of movies. Recently, his new movie “Vivah” has been released. In this movie, Shahid Kapoor is the hero. He plays as city called Prem. He is a bachelor and is graduated and has joined to his father’s business.

Amrita Rao is the heroine who plays as a simple girl called Poonam. She is a charming, beautiful and simple girl at a small town, where people spend their lives in different way.

Prem’s family liked Poonam as their would be daughter-in-law. They wanted to select Poonam for Prem. In this way, the story of movie starts and goes on by those people.

Image Link: Vivah

The director Sooraj Barjatya wanted to show a journey from engagement to marriage. In this movie, he has showed a relationship between couples. After their engagement a good relationship came between two families. Also, the boy and girl started feeling love.

Day after day, this relationship became stronger and they felt for each other. At the end of the movie, something terrible happened but Prem who loved his beloved too much, agreed to marry to his fiancée who was burnt by fire accidentally.

This is a simple movie with a simple story but, its presentation is nice. The director has showed the relationship between a boy and a girl, relationships between two families and people who are joined together through the marriage.

I watched this movie and liked it. It is a nice romantic movie. I liked all the characters. Prem’s father and sister-in-law were friendly with him. Poonam’s father is a caring man and her younger sister is also a friend of hers. They all enjoyed this marriage ceremony. A good personality has been showed through these characters. I like and wish that I could enjoy the marriage ceremony of my cousins but I rarely get this chance. For this reason, I really like this movie. Another matter is that I like honesty and relationship growth between two persons who got married and led their couple life together. It is really necessary that those people who get married, they should love each other. They should have love, respect and faith to each other. These things make a relationship strong. Another matter is that the system of marriage and the custom you can see in this movie or the value and importance of marriage you can touch in this movie is much similar to South sian system. These factors are really enjoyable for me.

Although we know that film is a sort of social movie but this movie is not totally fit to real life. In this film, it is shown that the bride groom accepts to marry the bride who was burnt by fire but, in real life, it is impossible to think of this kind of love. It showed real and true love to his fiancée and nothing could destroy his love and his feeling to her.

In the end, this movie is a good and family movie. The director Sooraj Barjatya makes always family movies, which is entertain all ages. I like this movie but we should see what kind of response and reaction Indian audience will show to this movie.

For Sooraj Barjatya, Vivah is a great challenge. The success of this movie will show if he is a talented director and can understand the feeling of Indian viewers. I am quoting some sentences from his interview with Rediff.com:

How will you connect Vivah to younger viewers?

I am going by my instincts. The courtship ritual is something we have gone through. I'm not targeting the film at any specific audience. Today, audiences are educated and aware. They are willing to give any genre a chance as long as the sincerity and sensibility of the filmmaker shine through. The minute you try to do something that's for the man in Patna or Pune, you are being dishonest. I can't ask my assistants if I'm going right with a shot or a film. Finally I have to take a decision.

Appreciation from the audience is very important. Our last three films taught me the importance of budget -- we spent way too much money in MPKDH. I also realised the importance of the Rajshri dictum -- pyar ki oochaaniyan rishton ki gehraayiyan. These qualities were missing in our recent films. We went wrong in choosing subjects.

Time will tell if he is still the man to create emotion among the viewers.

Tag: Bollywood

Widow Remarriage: The Next Big Theme in Bollywood!

Hindustan Times has a report titled When Bollywood pauses for a cause. Princy Jain has reported about a noble effort from Bollywood directors to promote the issue of widow remarriage. This is a sensitive issue among Hindus in India and not everyone is happy with this idea. Princy Jain wrote:

Stalwarts like Raj Kapoor, Yash Chopra, Rituparno Ghosh, Deepa Mehta, Ravi Chopra and Kunal Kohli, all have tried to address this sensitive issue on the big screen.

The latest in this direction is Ravi Chopra’s Baabul, and the film’s success reiterates the fact that cinema is much more than just naach-gana.

Interestingly with the passage of time, the treatment given to the issue has changed.

I am happy for this matter. It is good that Bollywood directors are becoming serious about this social issue. Well, on the other hand, I am just worried that Bollywood directors do not make this matter a source of earning money and use this theme in many movies to create controversy and get more people to come to the cinema. In that case, Bollywood would only harm to the Indian women.