Earlier (in)famous for his unprofessional ways, Govinda has turned professional with a vengeance. Case in point: Mani Ratnam's 'Raavan'.
In the freezing cold of Ooty, Govinda enacting Hanuman jumped from branch to branch and tree to tree in pursuit of Raavan. The shoots for 'Raavan,' commencing at 8 p.m and extending upto 6 a.m the next day were quite taxing… but the star was there in flesh and blood… well on time!
Says an insider, "The stunts were very difficult and Mani Sir had organised for a body double. But Govinda performed most of the stunts, about 12 to 15 of them himself! A body double was used in only two shots, as Govinda was adamant that he would do the risky stunts himself. Everyone on the sets was overwhelmed by his professionalism and clapped every time he gave a shot." Virar wonder turns wowing Govinda…
The 'Prince' is hoping to hit the Big Time, this year. After being directed by South genius Mani Ratnam in 'Yuva', Vivek Oberoi is grinning moonbeams at being lassoed in for Ratnam's next project. Besides,'Rakta Charitra', helmed by Ram Gopal Varma is being touted as the proverbial ace up Oberoi's sleeve. And presently, VO is likely to be in fine form with his Ratnam venture.
Incidentally, both ventures have been "inspired" by real life individuals. Oberoi Boy will soon scoot off to London to meet up with the Indian Punjabi Lord settled in Britain, and spend a good ten days with him to get a first hand feel of the person behind the persona.
Initially, Ratnam was to have helmed the project, though owing to his failing health during the filming of 'Raavan,' the director has opted out and Siva, Ratnam's assistant of over 12 years will craft the flick, with Shaad Ali ('Saathiya') on board as executive director.
Besides, his musical play 'Kingdom Of Dreams' is likely to gladden the hearts of his abiding fans too. Guess, Vivek's on a starry roll….
He's being sought after by the best. Ranbir Kapoor has cause to beam brightly. After three flicks canned with Bachchan Jr., Mani Ratnam has chosen to handpick Ranbir Kapoor for his forthcoming project.
'Raavan', in the post production stages, is being readied for a June 18 release and thereafter Ratnam will rope in RK to enact the role of an NRI who lives in London for his future flick.
Rensil D'Silva, who has penned 'Raavan', will also be crafting the script for the NRI flick. Reportedly, the South director had zeroed in on Kapoor as the apt choice for his venture, soon after he glimpsed his talent in 'Saawariya'.
Says a close source, "Ranbir is presently busy with the promotion of 'Raajneeti' and once it's over the meeting with Mani Sir is likely to take place." Kudos, Kapoor.
After making a career out of doing comic and light hearted films ever since his 1996 debut with TERE MERE SAPNE, Arshad Warsi is now all set to take a serious route. He is now doing a stark dramatic flick where he would be playing a cop. This yet untitled film would be the debut directorial venture for film maker Bejoy Nambiar who has been an assistant to Mani Ratnam for last many years. Incidentally, Arshad had played a cop in SEHER as well which is the only other dark film that he has done so far.
"This is a serious issue based film which I am doing and I can't explain how much I am looking forward to beginning work on it. After all how many comedies can one do in a lifespan? It was high time that I do a film like this as well. It boasts of a great plot and when Bejoy narrated the synopsis to me, I made up my mind there and then that I was going to star in it", details Arshad.
This film by Bejoy narrates the tale of an out of job cop who is brought into a case when a few drunk rich kids run over pedestrians. The incidents don't just shock the nation but also snowball into something bigger in days to follow.
Meanwhile Arshad is all geared up for the release of his first ever production HUM TUM AUR GHOST.
"If I go by audience reaction to promos, I have this really positive feeling about the film", says Arshad in a positive tone, "Because of the limitations of the story and the plot, I couldn't reveal too much in the promos. Anything more and the story would have opened up. Still, if I look at the kind of interest amongst audience and the curiosity, I think they have made up their mind to watch it. I will wait for Friday to do the eventual talking."
In a canny move that displays smart business acumen, the Bachchans have reportedly decided that most movies starring Abhishek Bachchan will be either distributed or co produced by AB Corp.
Saraswati Creations, the in house banner of the Bachchans also has a stake in the Mani Ratnam starrer 'Raavan'. Abbas Mustan's remake of 'The Italian Job' will be distributed overseas by AB Corp. On the anvil are Goldie Behl's next venture, helmed by Anurag Basu in which the Bachchans will be stake holders. A trade source states, "During 'Paa' it was Abhishek who took most of the decisions, including curtailing costs."
With the starry exceptions of Karan Johar's 'Dostana 2' and Excel Entertainment's 'Crooked', AB Corp will own partial or full stakes in most of Abby Boy's flicks.
The wait seems to be over now; we are talking about Mani Rathnam's Raavana/ Raavan. There is no need of any introduction when it come to Mani Rathnam, because his name does the magic at the box office. The veteran director is currently busy with his big budget bilingual tentatively titled Ravaana in Tamil and Raavan in Hindi. Earlier, there were reports that a 90 seconds teaser of the Hindi version would be launched soon. Now the latest we hear is that the film will grace theatres in May; the director plans to release the film simultaneously in Hindi and Tamil. Sources add that the ace director is in a dilemma regarding the title for the Tamil version; Ashokavanam and Raavana are under consideration. Raavana, said to be the modern adaptation of the epic Ramayana, revolves around Raavana, the ruler of Lanka, who kidnapped Sita. The story culminates with Sita taking the side of Raavana instead of Rama, who suspects her chastity after having spent so much time in Raavana's custody. Vikram plays the villain. Abhishek Bachchan and Aishwarya Rai are the lead pair in Hindi, while Vikram will play the lead opposite Aishwarya in Tamil. Music is by Oscar winner A.R. Rahman. Raavana is produced by Mani Rathnam's sister Sharda under Rathnam's banner Madras Talkies.
After making a career out of doing comic and light hearted films ever since his 1996 debut with TERE MERE SAPNE, 
Posts
