'People want me to hear scripts'
Actor Prithviraj, who is just one-film old in Bollywood, is extremely happy with the response to his recent Malayalam film Ayalum Njanum Thammil.
He says he now plans to remake it in Hindi — with megastar Amitabh Bachchan. "This is a very special film for me because this story — the plot of the film — was thought of nine years ago.
It's a film that I have travelled around with. I took this film to a friend of mine to direct. I would like to remake this film in Hindi with Mr Bachchan. Let's see how things fall in place," Prithviraj says.
Ayalum Njanum Thammil, directed by Lal Jose, hit the screens on October 19. It features Narain, Rima Kallingal, Samvrutha Sunil and Remya Nambeesan, apart from Prithviraj.
Asked if he has already approached Big B for the remake, he replies, "No, I haven't approached him yet. I would like Mr Bachchan to see this film.
It's just a dream. The response has been fantastic for this film and unfortunately, this is the first time I am not in Kerala during the release — so, feeling strange," adds the 30-year-old.
Prithviraj made his Bollywood debut opposite Rani Mukerji in the recently released Aiyyaa, which has garnered a mixed response. But he is happy.
"Some have liked the film, some have not liked it. But personally, I feel the film has created a lot of buzz for me. I didn't expect people to suddenly take interest in me, so I am getting a lot of calls and people want me to hear lot of scripts.
As a debutant (in Bollywood), I couldn't have asked for anything more. If you want to get noticed and that is the endeavour then yes, Aiyyaa has worked for me somewhere," he expresses.
A treat for cricket fans!
Former cricketer Ajay Jadeja has been roped in for a special appearance in Abhishek Kapoor's forthcoming film Kai Po Che.
The film is based on Chetan Bhagat's novel 'The 3 Mistakes of My Life', about three friends — Govind, Ishaan and Omi — who want to pursue their dreams.
The film, shot extensively in Gujarat, is slated to release in February next year.
Kai Po Che will see popular television actor Sushant Singh Rajput play a cricket
enthusiast alongside Love Sex and Dhokha actor Raj Kumar Yadav, television star Amit Sadh and Aisha actress Amrita Puri.
Set against the backdrop of religious politics, the story underlines the three mistakes made by Govind.
As cricket is an integral part of Kai Po Che, Ajay and popular anchor Gaurav Kapoor have been signed on for special appearances.
"We needed two commentators for the film. Since the tone of the film is very real, he (Abhishek) did not want to compromise on it by casting any foreigner.
Just a day before the shoot, he called up Ajay Jadeja and Gaurav Kapoor," says Manish Hariprasad, creative director, studios, Disney UTV.
"We were pleasantly surprised that they agreed to shoot at such a short notice," he adds.
Ajay Jadeja has acted in the 2003 movie Khel, alongside Sunny Deol and Sunil Shetty. He also acted in the 2009 movie, Pal Pal Dil Ke Ssaat.
'I think Imran looks hot'
Actress Anushka Sharma, who will be seen for the first time with Imran Khan in the Vishal Bharadwaj-directed Matru Ki Bijlee Ka Mandola, says that their different look is a key feature of the comedy drama.
"This is the first time that Imran and I are working together in a film. This is a fresh pairing. I had never thought we would have such a different look in the film. I think Imran looks hot in this film," Anushka says.
Anushka's character Bijlee comes across as a sharp and outspoken woman. "We used to conduct readings and with sir's (Vishal Bharadwaj) assistance, we got things right.
He knows his characters so well," she gushes. Bharadwaj, known for his portrayal of strong female characters in films like Ishqiya and Saath Khoon Maaf, feels women are stronger than men in real life as well.
"My women characters in films have been strong — this comes naturally to me. In real life as well, I feel women are stronger than men," he admits.
The versatile film-maker says that since the title of his new venture was a tongue-twister, he had thought of another name — but noted lyricist Javed Akhtar insisted on retaining the original one.
"There is no specific reason for the title of my films to be different. While I was travelling to Haryana, I saw this eatery called Matru, and there is a place called Mandola in Haryana.
Since the beginning, I had liked this name Bijlee — so this is how the title came in place. Javedji and others found the title to be a tongue-twister. I had thought of another title. But later, Javedji called up asking me to retain the original title," he adds.
Matru Ki Bijlee Ka Mandola, which also features Pankaj Kapoor, Arya Babbar and Shabana Azmi, releases on January 11.
A comeback for Malavika?
Southern actress Malavika, who is currently busy playing mother to her two children, says she wants to make a comeback in a female-oriented film with a social message, if she ever finds the time — something akin to the Sridevi-starrer English Vinglish.
"I don't think I will return to acting in the near future as my children need my attention at all times. Moreover, shooting these days means travelling to outdoor locations.
I'm not comfortable with this because I can't leave my children with someone else. But, if I ever were to make a comeback, I would like to be part of a socially-responsible female-oriented film," Malavika says.
A passionate actress, she adds that production or direction is not her cup of tea.
"I'll never produce or direct a movie because I'm not cut out for that.
My passion since childhood has been acting and I love being in front of the camera — not behind it. I don't mind being part of a television serial provided it's interesting and has a long-lasting impact on the audience.
However, I prefer short serials and not the long, drawn ones, which tend to get boring after some time," she states.
Actor Prithviraj, who is just one-film old in Bollywood, is extremely happy with the response to his recent Malayalam film Ayalum Njanum Thammil.
He says he now plans to remake it in Hindi — with megastar Amitabh Bachchan. "This is a very special film for me because this story — the plot of the film — was thought of nine years ago.
It's a film that I have travelled around with. I took this film to a friend of mine to direct. I would like to remake this film in Hindi with Mr Bachchan. Let's see how things fall in place," Prithviraj says.
Ayalum Njanum Thammil, directed by Lal Jose, hit the screens on October 19. It features Narain, Rima Kallingal, Samvrutha Sunil and Remya Nambeesan, apart from Prithviraj.
Asked if he has already approached Big B for the remake, he replies, "No, I haven't approached him yet. I would like Mr Bachchan to see this film.
It's just a dream. The response has been fantastic for this film and unfortunately, this is the first time I am not in Kerala during the release — so, feeling strange," adds the 30-year-old.
Prithviraj made his Bollywood debut opposite Rani Mukerji in the recently released Aiyyaa, which has garnered a mixed response. But he is happy.
"Some have liked the film, some have not liked it. But personally, I feel the film has created a lot of buzz for me. I didn't expect people to suddenly take interest in me, so I am getting a lot of calls and people want me to hear lot of scripts.
As a debutant (in Bollywood), I couldn't have asked for anything more. If you want to get noticed and that is the endeavour then yes, Aiyyaa has worked for me somewhere," he expresses.
A treat for cricket fans!
Former cricketer Ajay Jadeja has been roped in for a special appearance in Abhishek Kapoor's forthcoming film Kai Po Che.
The film is based on Chetan Bhagat's novel 'The 3 Mistakes of My Life', about three friends — Govind, Ishaan and Omi — who want to pursue their dreams.
The film, shot extensively in Gujarat, is slated to release in February next year.
Kai Po Che will see popular television actor Sushant Singh Rajput play a cricket
enthusiast alongside Love Sex and Dhokha actor Raj Kumar Yadav, television star Amit Sadh and Aisha actress Amrita Puri.
Set against the backdrop of religious politics, the story underlines the three mistakes made by Govind.
As cricket is an integral part of Kai Po Che, Ajay and popular anchor Gaurav Kapoor have been signed on for special appearances.
"We needed two commentators for the film. Since the tone of the film is very real, he (Abhishek) did not want to compromise on it by casting any foreigner.
Just a day before the shoot, he called up Ajay Jadeja and Gaurav Kapoor," says Manish Hariprasad, creative director, studios, Disney UTV.
"We were pleasantly surprised that they agreed to shoot at such a short notice," he adds.
Ajay Jadeja has acted in the 2003 movie Khel, alongside Sunny Deol and Sunil Shetty. He also acted in the 2009 movie, Pal Pal Dil Ke Ssaat.
'I think Imran looks hot'
Actress Anushka Sharma, who will be seen for the first time with Imran Khan in the Vishal Bharadwaj-directed Matru Ki Bijlee Ka Mandola, says that their different look is a key feature of the comedy drama.
"This is the first time that Imran and I are working together in a film. This is a fresh pairing. I had never thought we would have such a different look in the film. I think Imran looks hot in this film," Anushka says.
Anushka's character Bijlee comes across as a sharp and outspoken woman. "We used to conduct readings and with sir's (Vishal Bharadwaj) assistance, we got things right.
He knows his characters so well," she gushes. Bharadwaj, known for his portrayal of strong female characters in films like Ishqiya and Saath Khoon Maaf, feels women are stronger than men in real life as well.
"My women characters in films have been strong — this comes naturally to me. In real life as well, I feel women are stronger than men," he admits.
The versatile film-maker says that since the title of his new venture was a tongue-twister, he had thought of another name — but noted lyricist Javed Akhtar insisted on retaining the original one.
"There is no specific reason for the title of my films to be different. While I was travelling to Haryana, I saw this eatery called Matru, and there is a place called Mandola in Haryana.
Since the beginning, I had liked this name Bijlee — so this is how the title came in place. Javedji and others found the title to be a tongue-twister. I had thought of another title. But later, Javedji called up asking me to retain the original title," he adds.
Matru Ki Bijlee Ka Mandola, which also features Pankaj Kapoor, Arya Babbar and Shabana Azmi, releases on January 11.
A comeback for Malavika?
Southern actress Malavika, who is currently busy playing mother to her two children, says she wants to make a comeback in a female-oriented film with a social message, if she ever finds the time — something akin to the Sridevi-starrer English Vinglish.
"I don't think I will return to acting in the near future as my children need my attention at all times. Moreover, shooting these days means travelling to outdoor locations.
I'm not comfortable with this because I can't leave my children with someone else. But, if I ever were to make a comeback, I would like to be part of a socially-responsible female-oriented film," Malavika says.
A passionate actress, she adds that production or direction is not her cup of tea.
"I'll never produce or direct a movie because I'm not cut out for that.
My passion since childhood has been acting and I love being in front of the camera — not behind it. I don't mind being part of a television serial provided it's interesting and has a long-lasting impact on the audience.
However, I prefer short serials and not the long, drawn ones, which tend to get boring after some time," she states.