Thursday, February 7, 2008
Hrithik, Aishwarya got along really well: Gowariker
The music of Ashutosh Gowariker's historical love story was released by an erstwhile royal who is a direct descendent of queen Jodhabai, and the director says people have liked the modern adaptation of 16th century sounds.
'The response to the first two songs has been surprisingly positive. People were expecting archaic songs, but they liked the modern adaptation of 16th century sounds,' Gowariker told IANS in an interview.
Troubled and tired of all the controversies surrounding the leading actors, Gowariker says: 'Aishwarya (Rai) and Hrithik (Roshan) get along really well. Even at the wrap up party they were fine with each other. I just want to say both Hrithik and Aishwarya were extremely dedicated, professional and sensible.'
The leading lady's husband Abhishek Bachchan never interrupted the shooting, says Gowariker who is recovering from a back problem.
'Abhishek came only when he was shooting in Karjat next door for that song in Ram Gopal Varma's 'Aag'. Even then he'd drop in before the shooting started, have tea and leave.'
Excerpts:
Q: Is it true that a company dumped the music of 'Jodhaa-Akbar'?
A: It's true that we were looking at an association with Big Music. But we didn't agree on certain rights issues for the music, so we parted. UTV Music, a label that Ronnie Screwvala wanted to start later during the year, was launched in a hurry to release the 'Jodhaa-Akbar' music. We had the music release function Jan 9. The (erstwhile) Maharani of Jaipur, Rani Padmini, who's a direct descendent of Jodhabai, and her husband flew down to release the music.
Q: Is it true you're cutting two of the songs?
A: No. There're only five songs recorded for 'Jodhaa-Akbar'. And we've retained all of them. I treasure every song that I record and wouldn't dream of cutting them for length. Even if we had nine songs, only two would wind their way into the charts. Though we've five songs, I've worked on making each hummable.
Q: How do you think the younger generation would react to the music?
A: The response to the first two songs has been surprisingly positive. People were expecting archaic songs, but they liked the modern adaptation of 16th century sounds.
Q: The songs were never made to blare at pubs. Never targeted at the youngsters?
A: Why do you say that? When 'Pyar kiya to darna kya' was created, it was youngsters who were throwing coins on the screen. When Dev Saab (Dev Anand) sang 'Khoya khoya chand', it was the young who swooned. And when Shammi Kapoor said 'Yahoo', it was the young who responded. I'd say the film comes first. Whatever emerges from it should be suitably marketed. The music of 'Jodhaa-Akbar' can't be bhangra and hip-hop. Just because the film has Aishwarya, please don't expect an introductory song and dance. It's not a star vehicle. It's about the characters. I'm showcasing Jodha and Akbar.
Q: Have you injured yourself?
A: No, I strained my back while lifting a heavy bag.
Q: Did the bag contain Hrithik?
A: (Laughed) Well Hrithik, Aishwarya and I have certainly been carrying an awesome burden on our shoulders. I'd like to compare my struggle to release 'Jodhaa-Akbar' to a videogame where you play the first level very easily. As you go to other levels the game gets complicated.
Q: What's the truth about Hrithik and Aishwarya not doing the publicity for the film?
A: Not true at all. We now have a publicity plan for them. It had to be aligned to the music and film release.
Q: And what about these stories of how the two couldn't get along?
A: Absolutely untrue! I don't know how and why this is being said. Aishwarya and Hrithik get along really well. Even at the wrap-up party they were fine with each other. There was no rivalry between them. Aishwarya is the most professional actress I've worked with. She never brought any guests on sets, or her cellphone for that matter. There were stories about how she was asking a spot boy for tea while Hrithik was rehearsing.
Q: Did Abhishek ever drop in?
A: Only when he was shooting in Karjat next door for that song in Ram Gopal Varma's 'Aag'. Even then he'd drop in before the shooting started, have tea and leave. I just want to say both Hrithik and Aishwarya were extremely dedicated, professional and sensible. They knew exactly what they had to do. It wasn't as if they were shocked by getting into a period piece.
Q: Especially after 'Dhoom 2', it must have been tough for them to get into the Mughal era.
A: Yes, but even for 'Dhoom 2' they had to assume an alien body language and personality. In 'Jodhaa-Akbar' too they've worked to create a new persona. That couldn't have happened if they weren't focused.
Q: When is the film releasing?
A: We were very keen on Jan 25, but because of my back problem I was told to be in bed for 21 days. Now we're coming on Feb 15. At the moment that's the date.
Q: Valentine's week for co-stars who aren't the least attached to one another?
A: (Laughed) That sounds like a good idea for an intensely romantic film. So far we've been looking at festival weeks to release 'Jodhaa-Akbar' - Eid, then Independence Day and now any Friday when 'Jodhaa-Akbar' releases is celebration week.
Q: It's been a tough film for you.
A: I wouldn't say so. The process of filming 'Jodhaa-Akbar' has been really enjoyable. I've no issues except the back problem. 'It's not going to be postponed any more.' That's my Hanuman Chalisa these days.
Wednesday, February 6, 2008
Hrithik refuses Yash Raj Banner
It is learnt that the real reason for the actor’s refusal is that now he only wants to star in films that are co-produced under his home banner Film Kraft
Hrithik Roshan has apparently fallen out of favour with the Yash Raj banner. If sources are to be believed, Hrithik refused to be a part of Aditya Chopra’s next. This is not the new film Rab Ne Bana Di Jodi starring Shah Rukh Khan, announced on Friday, but another project which Aditya was contemplating.
An industry insider reveals, “Hrithik has decided not to be a part of Aditya Chopra’s project. Adi had a film in mind that was to be a two-hero project. Aditya wanted Shah Rukh and Hrithik for it.”
The source continues, “When Adi approached Hrithik, he declined the offer and gave him the clichéd reason of having a date problem. This was because he starts shooting for Anurag Basu’s film in March and Adi wanted his dates from May itself.”
However, it is learnt that the real reason for the actor’s refusal is that now he only wants to star in films that are co-produced under his home banner Film Kraft.
Continues the source, “All directors going for script narrations get the standard line of ‘why don’t you make this film for my dad’s banner’. Even the film Anurag Basu is making with Hrithik is a co-production between UTV, Basu and Film Kraft.”
A source at Yash Raj who wanted to remain anonymous said, “Because of Hrithik not doing the film, Aditya scrapped the project. Now he will just be concentrating on Rab Ne Bana Di Jodi with Shah Rukh and a new girl, as Adi has as many as three scripts sitting with him at the moment.”
Rakesh Roshan remained unavailable for comment.
Hrithik Roshan career Highlights
| 2007 | Filmfare Award |
Best Actor for Dhoom 2
| 2007 | IIFA Award |
Best Actor for Krrish
| 2007 | Screen Award |
Best Actor for Krrish
| 2005 | IIFA Award |
Style Icon of the Year Award
| 2005 | Stardust |
Best Actor for Lakshya
| 2004 | Filmfare Award |
Best Actor for Koi... Mil Gaya
| 2004 | Filmfare Award |
Critics Award for Koi... Mil Gaya
| 2004 | IIFA Award |
Best Actor for Koi... Mil Gaya
| 2004 | Screen Award |
Best Actor for Koi... Mil Gaya
| 2001 | Filmfare Award |
Best Debut Male for Kaho Naa... Pyaar Hai
| 2001 | Filmfare Award |
Best Actor for Kaho Naa... Pyaar Hai
| 2001 | IIFA Award |
Best Debut Male for Kaho Naa... Pyaar Hai
| 2001 | IIFA Award |
Best Actor for Kaho Naa... Pyaar Hai
| 2001 | Screen Award |
Most Promising Newcomer - Male for Kaho Naa... Pyaar Hai
| 2001 | Screen Award |
Best Actor for Kaho Naa... Pyaar Hai
Tuesday, February 5, 2008
Hrithik Vs Ash: The war intensifies
It was supposed to be the biggest film of the year. Unfortunately, it is turning out to be the biggest joke. Ashutosh Gowariker's ambitious project
Jodhaa Akbar, a labour of love, now looks like an orphan, with neither Aishwarya nor Hrithik showing any interest in it whatsoever.
While the music rights of the film were in a limbo for a great while (Big Music dumped the rights after listening to the tracks we heard), the intensifying cold war between the stars has put a big question mark over the film's destiny. Not to mention the many hiccups that kept pushing the release date back from Diwali 2007 to now Feb 2008.By some strange co-incidence Hrithik Roshan has developed some knee problem for which he has had to go in for physiotherapy for six months in Singapore. Tongues are wagging about whether this 'injury' has anything to do with his reluctance to be a part of the film's promotional campaign. The latest buzz is that the actor came back to Mumbai before leaving for Australia on a two-month holiday. Let's see if he drops in for the music launch on January 8, 2008.
But Hrithik has his reasons for staying away from the film. It is common knowledge that Aishwarya was not really 'cooperation personified' during the shoot of Jodhaa Akbar. Hrithik, say sources, felt that Ash somehow lost interest in the project because of her wedding. It rankled all involved, when Ash suddenly signed Pink Panther and gave away dates for her international film.
Also read: It's Pink Panther 2 Vs Jodhaa Akbar
Hrithik is known to be a perfectionist. He is someone who would never take up any film until he met his current commitments. In fact, the star was also offered Pink Panther, but turned it down.
Ash, on her part, would invite all her guests to N D studio in Karjat, where Jodhaa Akbar was being shot. Unit hands and other sources reported how the actress would spend time with her invitees, despite instructions from director Ashutosh Gowariker about not encouraging hangers on. "One day Hrithik had to wait for hours because Ash took time in her make-up room. She was chatting with her family friends," says a source from the unit.
Hrithik and Ash worked for the first time in Dhoom 2, a blockbuster. Probably Ash's only hit after Devdas. But the kissing scene between Hrithik and Ash in Dhoom 2 didn't go down well with the Bachchans. Abhishek and Amitabh were extremely upset with the scene, and requested Adiitya Chopra to pull it off. But somehow Hrithik called Abhishek and explained how important it was for the film. Later Abhishek calmed down and the scene was not edited out.
But Ash and Hrithik's relationship went steadily downhill thereafter. Ash didn't bother to invite Hrithik for her wedding, even though she was shooting with him for Jodhaa Akbar. According to a source, "Ash would discuss her wedding plans and even Abhishek would drop in for lunch and they would show the draft of wedding card to Hrithik. But finally, the Roshans were kept out from the grand wedding. It's was something which didn't go well with Hrithik. After all, Hrithik was Abhishek's childhood friend."
Also read: Look what the shaadi did to Ash!
Hrithik kept quiet for a long time because he wanted Ashutosh to finish the film. But now it seems he is not interested in promoting the film with Ash. A friend and confidant of Hrithik tells us, "Hrithik is very passionate about his work. He would not allow the film to suffer for any reason. This is his first foray into period drama and he has delivered two hits back-to-back. Jodhaa Akbar is very important to him. He knows Ash is no more interested in films and she has nothing to lose. She is married to the person she loves and now she is concentrating on international projects. But Hrithik is very excited about Jodhaa Akbar and he wants to give his best. He is taking rest for his injury and will start promoting the film post-music release."
Let's hope so too, because considering the amount of hard work that has gone into the film, it would be a shame if it was killed even before the release.
‘Drona’ Abhishek wants the climax to be reshot.
When it comes to being India’s superhero, Abhishek knows his benchmark is Hrithik and Aby’s baby is leaving no stone unturned to supersede ‘Krrish’. Abhishek is not too happy with the last 25 minutes of ‘Drona’ which according to him lacks the impact a superhero movie should reflect; he has discussed his concern with director Goldie Behl too.
Buddy Behl is making Abhi understand that his technical team will add excitement to the scene but, Abhishek is insisting on re-shooting the scene. Drona’s climax was shot in South Africa and Goldie is not keen on taking the crew back for an outdoor shoot as the movie has already gone beyond the budget.
Abhishek is however; not ready to budge from his decision to re-shoot; he has already been criticized in ‘Dhoom:2’ where Hrithik stole the show and of course how can we forget Hrithik’s kissing scene with Ash.
Abhishek realizes that it’s hard to break Hrithik’s ‘Krissh’ image but, he is definitely trying to be the superhero ‘Guru’.
‘Akbar’ Hrithik has a day out with his ‘Jodha’ Suzanne and son Hrehaan.
Hrithik has been one of the busiest stars this year but, finally the actor has decided to take a break and spend more time with son Hrehaan and wife Suzanne, who is expecting their second child.
Hrithik is nowadays, spotted sipping cappuccino with wife Suzanne at the 5-star coffee shops and son Hrehaan, who is busy enjoying the anishes and brownies. Besides, Hrithik has also been shopping a lot for his wife; first, for her birthday and then, Karwa Chauth.
The star also made a brief appearance at the MTV Lycra awards as it was his dear wife’s birthday and he wanted to treat her with a great dinner.
It’s great to see India’s superhero in a family-man avatar and hanging out with his son, who sure looks like the perfect ‘Baby Krrish’.
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