Other Topics : Art Culture - Fashion - Tourism

Latest & Hot Bollywood Film News : *

Back to Hindi movies section

  

Priyanka pulls off double role with elan
By Swati R. Chaudhary,  

Mumbai, Feb 3   Priyanka Chopra plays a double role for the first time in the futuristic "Love Story 2050" and the two characters are starkly different.

Rowena, producer-director Harry Baweja's daughter, who's assisting her father on "Love Story 2050", is effusive in her praise for Priyanka. The actress came to Baweja's rescue when Kareena Kapoor walked out of the film, reports Bollywood Trade.

"Priyanka was elated and she jumped at the offer. It was a challenging role for her since her character goes through a spectrum of changes. The audience will get to see two very different sides of her personality in the film. She has pulled off both the characters with élan," said Rowena.

Priyanka's get-ups are diametrically different in the film.

"One part has her playing a mellow, coy, next door kind of girl while the other one is very outlandish, loud and headstrong. She's brilliant in both of them and I am sure her fans will love it."
   

                             Advertisement

Shot in Adelaide, South Australia, the film, which is loosely based on H.G. Wells' "Time Machine", is a futuristic science fiction loaded with special effects.

"It's a sci-fi love story that travels through time. As the title implies, the film is set in 'present' and 'future'. It is a romantic love story blended with science fiction and this unique combination of both the genres is the USP of the film.

"It's the first of its kind probably," said Rowena, adding, "A lot of computer graphics will be used to create Mumbai 2050. Oscar winner John Cox has worked on the animatronic robot Boo that we have used in the film."

Rowena elucidated the need for the robot in the film.

"Boo is Priyanka's companion in the film. He is her pet who talks to her, who does everything a human being can and who is someone every girl dreams of having."

Her brother Harman makes his debut with the sci-fi movie.

"Harman too has an interesting character to play. We have carefully outlined his role and hopefully the audience will connect with his character in the first 10 minutes itself," she said.

Rowena says it's her most exciting experience to date. Seventy percent of the shooting is complete and they are tentatively planning to release it in August.

"Very few have dealt with romantic sci-fi films. There's so much to explore when you're making a futuristic film. We are slogging really hard and I sincerely hope people enjoy watching it as much as we did making it. I am sure people would be curious to know how Mumbai would look in 2050."

Rowena admits that the film got delayed for various reasons but refuses to divulge the details.

The background music has been scored by Salim-Suleiman along with Anu Malik, with lyrics by Javed Akhtar.
 

Ricky Martin in concert at Jaipur wedding

Jaipur, Feb 3   Latino pop star Ricky Martin belted out his evergreen hits "Livin' La Vida Loca" and "Maria" to an enthralled audience at the wedding reception of an industrialist's son here.

"He started with his popular number 'Maria' and then sang some of his favourites hits," a source at the Le Meridien Hotel, where the show was held, said.

Martin's concert Friday evening was in celebration of the marriage of Mumbai-based industrialist Neeraj Raja Kocchar's son. The industrialist, who deals in metal, had booked a suite for Martin at the Le Meridien.

Martin and his over 30-member troupe performed in a black coloured dome, specially erected within the hotel premises for the show that is said to have cost over Rs.30 million.

"As soon he started singing, the select gathering of guests, including some Europeans, began dancing. It was a big dance party!" the source said.

A guest at the wedding said: "Oh! I love Martin as his songs are upbeat and happy."

The singing sensation reportedly arrived by a chartered plane Wednesday night and is scheduled to leave later Saturday.

Sources close to the industrialist's family said that the well-known DJ Aqeel has been instrumental in getting Martin to perform at the high-profile wedding.

On Thursday, Martin had taken time out to go on a sightseeing tour of Jaipur and visited historical sites like the Hawa Mahal, City Palace and Jaigarh Fort.

"He was quite fascinated to see these places," a source said.

The city, almost a must on the itinerary of foreigners visiting this country, has recently been host to a number of international celebrities like Mick Jagger, Owen Wilson, Angelina Jolie, Brad Pitt and others.

Sajid Nadiadwala ties up with Fox Studios Australia
 
Mumbai, Feb 3   Well-known Bollywood producer Sajid Nadiadwala's banner, Nadiadwala Grandson Entertainment Pvt Ltd (NGE), has clinched a deal with Fox Studios Australia for the pre and post -production work of "Heyy Babyy" being extensively shot in the exotic locales of that country.

This makes "Heyy Babyy" the first Indian film to be processed in Australia and NGE the first Indian production house to have an office at Fox Studios.

The film has Akshay Kumar, Riteish Deshmukh, Fardeen Khan and Vidya Balan in important roles.

"Fox Studios Australia provides filmmakers with the most up-to-date, integrated production and post production environment. We have been home to many highly successful US films and now welcome our first Bollywood film to the lot," said Nancy Romano, CEO Fox Studios Australia, in a press release.

"Our ongoing relationship with Nadiadwala's production office through his Australian line producer Temple who are based at the studio will no doubt result in a successful experience for this production."

Nadiadwala is quite happy with the deal.

He said: "It's a privilege for NGE to be the first Indian company to be associated with Fox Studios for 'Heyy Babyy'. The studio is simply the most up to date with the best production facilities.

"Our company would always like to support our talented technicians with the best facilities for the changing needs of our audience. And the schedule is going through Hollywood precision."

Nadiadwala said the deal would enhance creativity and allow them to meet global standards.

"There is a buzz about our industry that is unmistakable and the globalisation of brand Bollywood, and adopting of the highest standards will make us global. NGE believes in putting systems and processes in place to support this creativity," he added.

And New South Wales (NSW) Tourism and NSW government along with NSW Film and Television Office are supporting the film.

"This is by far the most prestigious Bollywood film to shoot in Australia, and it is a delight to see the Indian film industry flag flying in the midst of Fox Studios," said Anupam Sharma, chairman of Australia India Film Council.

The Australian government and private agencies have been actively pursuing more trade relations with Bollywood. "Heyy Babyy" is the result of their endeavour in that direction. Australia has more than 130 million dollars worth of India centric projects.
 

Chandigarh's film circle to showcase hit films
 
Chandigarh, Feb 3   Film buffs from Chandigarh will have memories to revive with hit films of yesteryears to be screened here under the banner of a newly created film circle.

The society for tourism and entertainment promotion (Steps) will show hit movies like Gandhi (English version), Ardh Satya, 36 Chowringhee Lane, Silsila, Kabhi Kabhie and others on a weekly basis starting Feb 17, a spokesman said here Saturday.

The city is the second one after Mumbai to have a unique film circle with enrolled members. The Chandigarh chapter of the National film circle has been set up by Steps in collaboration with the National Film Development Corporation.
 
IANS