Bollywood crosses boundaries
Uday Chopra has decided to play producer extraordinaire and is launching 'YRF Entertainment' in the US, so he can produce English films. Consequently, Canadian actor Michael Cera and American singer-songwriter and occasional actress Taylor Swift are likely to play the main leads in the English remake of super hit Hindi film Bunty Aur Babli.
"I am remaking Bunty Aur Babli in English. It's in the scripting stage and the casting is not done. I am looking at Michael Cera and Taylor Swift. I haven't approached them as yet, but I want to make it a little more quirky and comic than the Indian one," Uday explains.
"I have certain ideas for other films. As of now, I feel that the only film which went best with the sensibilities of the West was Bunty Aur Babli," he adds.
Produced by Aditya Chopra and Yash Chopra, Bunty Aur Babli featured Abhishek Bachchan and Rani Mukherjee in the lead. The 2005 super hit film is about two lovable crooks, who venture into many adventures like the fake selling of the Taj Mahal. Uday clarifies that the production house will go for an international cast and crew for the films that they make.
"The idea is not to take Indian actors there. The idea is to think of ourselves as an American company. The writers, directors and everyone will be from there. I don't want them to feel that I am taking India to Hollywood. If a story requires an Indian character or if A R Rahman agrees to do my music, I will like it," he wraps up.
Behind the camera
Between shooting for and promoting his upcoming flick Barfi!, Ranbir Kapoor has quite a busy schedule. And now, it turns out that he's been keeping himself occupied even when the camera isn't focussed on him. In fact, it turns out that Ranbir is trying his hand at the other end of the camera. While shooting for Barfi!, Ranbir seems to have picked up a new hobby — photography.
With a few tips directly from the director of photography of the film, Ranbir has begun a few lessons with a camera and is turning out to be quite the ace lens man himself. He has always been keen on photography but due to his busy schedule, had very little time to properly pursue it. While shooting for Barfi! and spending a lot of his time outdoors, however, the perfect opportunity presented itself. Ranbir snatched the chance to sit with the film's director of photography and learn about lenses, camera angles and more. He used to click pictures on the set, even when he wasn't shooting. Apparently, the actor has picked out around 30 of the snaps which he is especially proud of and these may be unveiled for fans as a coffee table book or exhibition.
The hundred-crore club
He is one of the few directors with two back-to-back hits which made it to Bollywood's 100-crore club. His latest hit Bol Bachchan might also touch the milestone, and Rohit Shetty admits this success is increasing the pressure on him to give his best.
Before Bol Bachchan, his comedy film Golmaal 3 and action movie Singham minted moolah at the box office."Bol Bachchan might just enter the Rs 100-crore club. I feel lucky, but at the same time, it is adding on to the pressure to give the best every time," Rohit says.
"Whenever I make a film, I always keep the business aspect in mind. I would be selfish if I don't do that. My primary concern is always that people who have invested their money in my films get their due, regardless of the fact whether it is a Rs 100 crore film," he adds.
Unlike others, Rohit admits he is against extensive marketing and says it's just a passing trend, which might change soon."I'm totally against marketing. But you have to move on as the time changes. There is nothing called marketing in the Southern film industry, but in the Hindi film industry, it has become an inevitable thing. It's just a trend and will soon change," he explains. Another trend in Bollywood is sequels and remakes, a formula that has always worked in favour of Rohit. Asked if he plans to make sequel to Bol Bachchan too, he says, "I don't think I would be making a sequel to Bol Bachchan. I am not thinking about it on those lines."