Katrina Kaif and Ranbir Kapoor gave out tepid bytes to music channels in Mumbai, while Arjun Rampal and Manoj Bajpai merely admired the plush confines around. Pity, since the 'Raajneeti' brigade was slated to address a Press con at… Delhi University!

His earlier efforts at promoting 'Raajneeti' at a heritage venue in New Delhi were stonewalled. And director Prakash Jha had the singular misfortune of meeting the same fate… again!

Jha was desirous of convening his promotional event at the Delhi University, but his plans came to zilch, as police officials categorically warned him that they wouldn't hold themselves responsible for any law and order situation that might stem from it.

Says a close source, "Since the film is supposed to be based on India's leading political family, most Delhi venues have been apprehensive of giving space for the promotion of Prakash Jha's film."

Jha, meanwhile, put up a valiant front and told an eager media, "Security concerns are a big issue in Delhi. Remember, Aamir Khan was not given permission to enter Delhi University and there was a huge ruckus when Vidya Balan went there too. But I do plan to hold the promotional event at Delhi University towards May end." God… and political power willing…

vpost : 05

Read More...

He's unleashed those howlarious moments with 'Housefull'. And Arjun Rampal will flash the serious side of histrionics with Prakash Jha's 'Raajneeti'.

"The film's very close to my heart," states Rampal in a media chat. "Five years ago, Prakash Jha approached me for the role of Bheem, when nobody was taking me seriously as an actor. He then disappeared and surfaced four years later, stating that it was the meticulous research which had taken up most of the time."

Rampal enacts Ranbir Kapoor's elder brother in Jha's political opus. "Bheem is very impulsive, talks very fast, thinks from his heart and either loves you or hates you," he says. "I had to unlearn a lot of things when I did 'Raajneeti' and also got to learn a lot during the making of the film. I really enjoyed playing the role and ended up being friends with the entire cast."

vpost : 15

Read More...

Their romantic, chirpy chemistry in 'Ajab Prem Ki Ghazab Kahani' had set the cash registers ringing. In 'Raajneeti', however, Ranbir Kapoor and Katrina Kaif are on a totally different footing.

Kapoor, perhaps, enacting the most mean character in his cine profile addresses Kat as "Bhabhiji" since she essays… RK's sis in law and Arjun Rampal's widow in the Prakash Jha helmed flick.

And reportedly, Kapoor Boy would consistently tease Kat, referring to her as "Bhabhiji" on the sets of 'Raajneeti'.

Says Kat in a media chat, "Ranbir and I cannot get more unconventional than what we have done in 'Raajneeti'. We've gone into a completely new space. If and when we do another film, it will have to be completely mainstream."

vpost : 19

Read More...

Her sartorial sense is rather classy. But Katrina Kaif, suitably deglam for Prakash Jha's 'Raajneeti', seemed to be thick in the midst of an argument over the… colour of her saris in Jha's political thriller.

Reportedly, Jha wanted her to sport sombre, light toned saris in keeping with her character of a politician. Kaif, however, wanted to sport simple, but dark coloured saris.

The argument escalated to a heated discussion, but eventually Ms. Kool Kat saw sense and assented to the sober sari ensembles. "It was a healthy discussion," asserts Jha in a tabloid quote. Kat, however, refused to bite the byte bit. Guess, she'll make the cut.

vpost : 12

Read More...

Prakash Jha Productions and the charitable organization founded by Prakash Jha, Anubhooti have come together to raise funds for building a multi-specialty hospital - Anubhooti Medical Care in the northern part of Bihar, India - a region which significantly lacks competent health care.

To support this initiative, Mr. Prakash Jha proposes to hold worldwide premieres of his latest, highly anticipated film RAAJNEETI in conjunction with benefit dinners in several cities across the world including New York City, LA, and San Francisco, USA; Toronto, Canada; London, United Kingdom; Singapore City, Singapore; Hong Kong, China; Durban, South Africa; Dubai, UAE; Muscat, Sultanate of Oman; Mumbai and Delhi, India.

Founded in 1991, Anubhooti has worked diligently to support cultural development, flood survivors, and health care. In 2008, the NGO raised several crore rupees for Punarwaas - Flood Relief Mission, a project for relief and rehabilitation for people who were ravaged by the 2008 floods of the river Kosi. Now, Anubhooti envisions building a multi-functional hospital to provide quality healthcare to needy people.

The last few years have seen a significant improvement in governance and basic facilities in Bihar, but a lot remains to be done.

Jha is of the view, "If there is something we can do to improve the lives of the needy, let's not hesitate. Let's just go ahead and do it." He believes that everybody can do their bit to help people less privileged than themselves.

The National Award winning and critically acclaimed producer-director Prakash Jha has made films like DAMUL, GANGAAJAL, MRITYUDAND, and APAHARAN in order to bring social realities to public attention. As the Founder - Chairperson of Anubhooti, he has also led a group of social cultural activists to adopt hospitals and improve healthcare, use cultural media for social development and to leverage aid for efficient relief services to victims of natural disasters. This time, his objective is to create a healthcare facility that would provide affordable and quality healthcare to needy people. "Healthcare is a right and we should do whatever that can be done to ensure that all people have access to it," says Jha.

Jha envisions using the premieres of his latest film, RAAJNEETI, to raise funds for this hospital. The film RAAJNEETI is a study of electoral politics in the world's largest democratic nation- India. RAAJNEETI boasts of a star cast that includes renowned actors such as Katrina Kaif, Ranbir Kapoor, Ajay Devgn, Arjun Rampal, Nana Patekar, Manoj Bajpai, and Naseeruddin Shah - all of whom wholeheartedly support Anubhooti's efforts. Jha hopes to leverage the responses to the film in a manner that will go beyond glamour and entertainment. He will release the film across several cities globally in conjunction with benefit dinners for the sole purpose of raising funds for this commendable cause.

The cast of RAAJNEETI has also joined hands with maverick filmmaker Prakash Jha to support Anubhooti:

Katrina Kaif says - "The RAAJNEETI cast and crew has decided to set up Anubhooti Medical Care - a multi functional hospital in North Bihar. We will be organising several premieres of Raajneeti, across the world around 28th May 2010 to raise funds for building the hospital. I will be attending these premiers"

Ajay Devgn says - "Please help us build Anubhooti Medical Care - a multifunctional hospital in North Bihar"

Ranbir Kapoor says- "Let us do our bit to improve medical care services in North Bihar"

vpost : 04

Read More...