Bollywood Previews HINDI MOVIE RELEASES EXPECTED THIS MONTH By SHEPHALI J. RELE
This comic thriller shot extensively in Thailand brings the successful “Munnabhai” jodi together but this time they are not friends, rather enemies. Sanjay Dutt plays Master Madan, a sophisticated ruthless hit man, a master in his profession, who also happens to love Bollywood films. Arshad Warsi plays Champ, a conman who is Madan’s target. Champ’s specialty is deceiving people and he uses many disguises to evade Madan. Add a magician with a beautiful daughter to the mix and Champ’s girlfriend Rosa played by Anusha Dandekar. In the middle of this chaos arrives a no-nonsense police detective Suraj Singh, played by Gulshan Grover. He’s supposed to be the smartest cop on the force, but can he outsmart these men. Part suspense, comedy and thriller, but who will answer the question, “Anthony Kaun Hai.” “Kabhi Alvida Na Kehna”: Starring Shah Rukh Khan, Rani Mukherjee, Preity Zinta, Abhishek Bachchan, Amitabh Bachchan, Kirron Kher ; directed by Karan Johar; music by Shankar, Ehsaan, Loy.
One of the most anticipated movies of the year boasts a stellar star cast. Karan Johar’s directorial follow-up to “Kabhi Kushi Kabhi Gham,” tells the story of two contemporary families. Shah Rukh Khan plays Dev Saran and Preity Zinta plays his wife, Rhea, a confident working woman. A young son completes their happy family. But Dev’s personality changes after his promising career is cut short by an unfortunate accident. After a chance encounter with Maya, played by Rani Mukherjee, a strong connection develops between the two, soon leading to romance and causing complications in their married lives. Abhishek Bachchan plays Rishi, Maya’s husband, who is already struggling with other issues in their marriage. How all of these characters and their elders come to terms with these events forms the heart of “Kabhi Alvida Na Kehna.” Watch out for the catchy, refreshing music, sure to rule the charts for the coming months. “Pyar Ke Side Effects”: Starring Rahul Bose, Mallika Sherawat, Suchitra Pillai, Sophie Chaudhary; directed by Saket Chaudhary; music by Pritam Chakraborty.
Bollywood Buzz INTERESTING TIDBITS ABOUT KABHI ALVIDA NA KEHNA By JYOTHI VENKATESH
RANI’S ROLE
In “Kabhi Alvida Na Kehna,” it is now Rani Mukerji who plays the role that was originally written with Kajol in mind. Mukerji was to play Preity Zinta's role before Kajol declined to do the film. Kajol declined the offer though she is close to Karan because she wanted to spend more quality time with her daughter Nysa and husband Ajay Devgan and was ready to act in the film only if Johar could shoot it in Mumbai. When Kajol declined, Rani Mukerji got her role and Preity Zinta signed up for Mukerji's former role. The original cast Johar had in mind was, Shahrukh Khan, Kajol Devgan and Mukerji.
GUEST STAR
Though John Abraham had been approached by Johar to act in one of the key cameo roles in the film, Abraham was not comfortable to play the fourth fiddle to Shahrukh Khan, Amitabh Bachchan and Abhsihek Bachchan and hence refused to accept the offer politely, citing dates’ problem as an excuse. Arjun Rampal, who has now come closer to Shahrukh Khan after doing a cameo role in Farhan Akhtar's “Don,” was more than eager to replace John Abraham.
NEW YORK-BOUND
Johar has written the story and screenplay of this movie along with Shibani Bathija, who incidentally also was the writer of “Fanaa.” Like all previous movies written by Johar (“Kuch Kuch Hota Hai,” “Kabhi Khushi Kabhie Gham,” “Kal Ho Naa Ho” and “Kaal”), this one also has a four-word-title and starts with a "K". This movie was shot in New York City, Westchester, New Jersey, New Haven, Philadelphia and East Hartford, Connecticut from September through December 2005 and the remaining shoots were completed in Mumbai from January 2006 onward. It is Johar's second production after “Kal Ho Naa Ho” to be shot extensively in the United States.
BACK TO MUMBAI
Though the movie was originally slated for release in May-June 2006, the release date was pushed to August 2006 because of Amitabh Bachchan's illness. Johar has stated that for the first time, the film explores the darker side of human relationships, and each of his characters has grey shades, unlike the previous goody-two-shoes characters in previous feature films. Johar has added one more song and filmed it with the entire cast in July and added to the film. The shoot was held when it was raining cats and dogs in Mumbai at the newly constructed state-of-the-art Yashraj Studio.
KAJOL SIGHTING!
Dharma Productions showed a two-minute trailer with the film “Fanaa” when it was released in May 2006. Sony has acquired the rights for the music. Though she could not oblige Johar when he had asked her to do a full-fledged role in “Kabhi Alvida Na Kehna,” Kajol will be seen in a guest appearance in a song involving the entire cast. Can you beat it? In the song, which was filmed in July, Kajol will be seen for four seconds.
Jyothi Venkatesh is a veteran film journalist, friend and former colleague of Khaas Baat. He is based in Mumbai, the cradle of Bollywood.
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