Showing posts with label dev anand. Show all posts
Showing posts with label dev anand. Show all posts

Friday, May 20, 2011

Dev Anand looking for new girl


Bollywood veteran Dev Anand is looking for a new face, who could match the talent of actress Zeenat Aman for the modern age adaptation of his 1971 cult hit "Hare Rama Hare Krishna". 

Zeenat played a hippie in the movie, and became an overnight success. Dev Anand is open to cast a girl from any part of India for the new film, which will be titled " Hare Rama Hare Krishna - Aaj". But his condition is that the girl should not look more than 18-19 years of age and should be able to essay the character close to what Zeenat played in the original movie. "My story will not be a remake but an adaptation of 'Hare Rama Hare Krishna'. 

Since it is set in 2011, I am looking for a girl who can look very modern and become a cult figure like Zeenat," Dev Anand said in a press statement. The original "Hare Rama Hare Krishna" took a bold look at the prevalent hippie culture and growing westernisation in those times, and also carried a subtle anti-drugs message. Dev Anand has changed the storyline to fit in today's world, and the project is currently in its scripting stage. The 87-year-old evergreen star is also gearing up for the release of his next directorial film "Chargesheet".

Monday, February 7, 2011

Bollywood girls in solo motion

'Don't Stand So Close To Me" is not just a famous song by Sting; it is also a modus operandi for lovers in tinsel town.

Some of the loveliest women in India were adding dazzle to the star-studded reception of Imran Khan and Avantika on Saturday.

But that most of them came solo or with strictly platonic friends was a good barometer of the relationship quotient in Bollywood these days.

Katrina Kaif, lovely in a churidar and flowing kurta, arrived solo and steered well clear of Ranbir Kapoor who preferred the company of his father Rishi, and grand uncle Shammi Kapoor.

But while Bollywood's lover boy may have chosen the company of men that evening, it didn't prevent some of the ladies from eyeing him slyly.

We caught Anushka Sharma seizing up the hottie Kapoor more than once while beau Ranvir Singh came in separately and chose to spend time with Raju Hirani, with whom we hear, he's in serious talks for a film.

Anushka, slender in a short lbd, flaunted endless legs and fascination for Karan Johar. Clearly, this new lot has its priorities sorted.

Deepika Padukone was the exception as she walked in late with Sidhartha Mallya. Her colleagues, Priyanka Chopra, Kareena Kapoor, Preity Zinta, Rani Mukherji Sushma Reddy all came in solo; as did Vidya Balan, though mint-fresh boy friend, UTV's Siddharth Roy-Kapoor was very much around. Discreet, it seems, is the new way to romance.

Highlights of Imran reception

The eclectic mix of guests saw Mukesh Ambani, in a moment of sheer emotion, bending down to hug the electric wheelchair-bound Shammi

Dilip Kumar, Saira Bano, Shammi Kapoor, Dev Anand and Asha Parekh waited for each other and then sought out a secluded area to pop a bottle of champagne, reminiscing that they were meeting together probably for the first time, since the wedding night of Imran's mother Nuzhat.

Mukesh and Nita Ambani were around till almost 4 am, as were a substantial number of other guests. Shah Rukh Khan and Gauri arrived at 2.30 pm, by which time of course Salman Khan had left.

While every top star right from Akshay Kumar, Hrithik Roshan and Ranbir Kapoor to Priyanka Chopra and Katrina Kaif were in attendance.

My warmth for Zeenat diminished: Dev Anand

Dev Anand talks about why love stories need colour, why he will never allow Guide to be remade and how he got over his obsession with the Dum Maro Dum actress.

How was it watching Hum Dono in colour amidst Aamir Khan, Salman Khan, Uddhav Thackeray and Ranbir Kapoor beside you?
I felt that they all belonged to me. I felt that I had done something very unusual and I felt proud.

Who amongst your invitees did not turn up?
Rishi (Kapoor) said that he would come but then Ranbir represented him. I had called Saira Banu but she told me that Dilip (Kumar) is not well, so I gave it up. Amitabh informed that he was out of town. Ditto for Deepika Padukone. Shah Rukh was in Berlin.

Sadhna had a problem in her legs. Nanda is a very shy person. I had even invited Tina (Ambani) but she was out of town.

Did you invite Karan Johar?
Yes. Karan said that he would come but he did not. But I have no regrets. I am not that kind of person who thinks yeh aaya, voh nahin aaya. I have always been different from most other stars. I don't have chamchas running behind me carrying my cigarettes and mobile. I don't have any pretensions.

Hum Dono in black and white or Hum Dono in colour?
There are people who have asked me why I coloured it.

People who believe that old classics should remain black and white?
That's right. But these are people who are not intelligent. Hum Dono is not a murder mystery, which needs dark areas. Hum Dono has love, romance, violence, war, mutilation. It's God's verdict that it is now enveloped in color.

So your answer is Hum Dono in color (smiles). And tell me, would you like to see any beautiful girl in black and white? (winks)

Remakes are becoming common but you have always refused to part with your 1969 classic, Guide.
Yes, I refused Pritish Nandy and Ajay Devgn. I am against the idea of remakes. No matter how a remake is, you always remember just the original.

You shocked us in your autobiography Romancing With Life in which you revealed that you were in love with Zeenat Aman.
Why not? If I have written a book about myself, shouldn't I be true to myself?

Did your wife react?
No drama happened at my house.

In your autobiography, a part talks about you being upset about the way Raj Kapoor met Zeenat at a party.
Yes (pauses), I was sad but temporarily. I don't let defeats overcome me. I overcome them.

Did you ever tell Zeenat about your feelings for her?
I didn't reach that stage. Baat khulkar saamne aa gayi. Listen, these things happen. She was the heroine of my film. I had planned a few things for her. That possessiveness does get in.

And did Zeenat ever read into your feelings for her?
After the Raj Kapoor incident, she must have sensed that my warmth for her was diminishing. And she is an intelligent woman to have understood the reason.

Recently, you refused to meet some senior, ailing citizens. You told the hospital that you are only 16-years old.
I must have told them, but that was a joke. I know my age. But I didn't want to go because I don't like to see old, ailing people. It brings me down.

What next?
Charge Sheet. The film is ready and I am very kicked about it.

Sunday, February 6, 2011

Mixed response for Dev Anand’s ‘Hum Dono’

New Delhi, Feb 6 – The coloured version of Dev Anand’s 1961 classic ‘Hum Dono’ has got a mixed response from cinegoers. Middle-aged people, curious to seen it in its new form, are enjoying it, while youngsters do not find it too interesting. 

‘The response has been terrific. It is something unheard that even after 60 years of Dev Anand being in the industry, the film is still running. It is a wonderful and a memorable movie. Our first show is houseful. I am confident that the film will do well,’ Piyush Raizada, director, Delight Cinema told IANS. 

The 1961 black and white classic has been colourised in the US and is in CinemaScope with Dolby Digital Ex surround sound. It was released in 250 screens Friday all over India – of them 101 theatres alone in Mumbai and 45 movie halls in Delhi. 

Directed by Amarjeet and produced by the legend himself, ‘Hum Dono’ was the last black and white film from Dev Anand’s banner Navketan and he played a double role for the first time.
Set in the backdrop of war, the film is about two army men who are lookalikes and how this complicates their personal lives. Apart from Dev Anand, the film had Nanda and Sadhna in the leading roles. Some of the iconic songs composed by Jaidev include ‘Main zindagi ka saath nibhata chala gaya’ and ‘Abhi na jaao chhodkar’. 

But the film has failed to attract youngsters. 

‘People in their forties, who must have watched the film in their younger years, are more curious to see the film. Youngsters don’t seem much interested,’ said Amit Awasthi, senior manager (Programming and Operations) Spice cinemas. 

Yogesh Raizada, corporate head (Cinemas) of Wave Cinemas, echoed similar views.
‘The response has been lukewarm. The occupancy has been just five to 10 percent. I believe it’s the generation gap that is keeping youngsters way. I don’t think it would run for long,’ he said. 

However, for Radhika Sharma, a housewife, the film was a refreshing change. 

‘I really enjoyed the film. The coloured version was indeed a refreshing change. I was a die-hard Dev Anand fan in my teenage years. When I came to know that ‘Hum Dono’ is being released in coloured version I booked first day, first show,’ she said. 

Adds Ashok Sharma, who is in government service: ‘It was moment of nostalgia, I would like to appeal to the filmmakers to convert such iconic films into colour.’ 

IANS

Friday, February 4, 2011

Aamir Khan would love to do remakes of Dev Anand films

Actor-producer Aamir Khan enjoys watching Dev Anand films and ‘Guide’ is his favourite. He says he won’t mind being a part of the remake of his films.

Asked in which Dev Anand film he would like to act in if remade, Aamir said: ‘One of my favourite films is ‘Guide’. If I get a chance, I would like to act in all his films.’

Aamir Thursday attended the premier of the coloured version of ‘Hum Don’, in which the octogenarian star played the lead role.

Dev Anand rocks Mumbai!

Dev Anand has hit the crowded streets of Mumbai like never before!

Through to an exclusive contract with the city’s leading outdoor publicity agency Global Advetisers, huge hoardings of the evergreen actor’s colourised version of the 1961 hit ‘Hum Dono’, have been spread across heavy-traffic spots in the city’s most buzzing areas like Juhu, Andheri, Marine Drive, Peddar Road, Borivali, Sion and Malad.

“It’s a privilege to be associated with a legendary actor like Dev Saab. We are committed to help him repeat the success of the classic film,” said Sanjeev Gupta, MD, Global Advertisers.

Dev Anand is 87 but he doesn’t hide his excitement. He wants audiences to see his charming self 50 years ago and says he will colour more of his black and white films if ‘Hum Dono’ succeeds again.

For the record, this was the last black and white film from his production house Navketan Films and marked his first double role too. Written by his brother Vijay Anand and directed by Amarjeet, ‘Hum Dono’ became the official entry from India to the Berlin Film Festival then.

Apart from Dev Anand’s acting, the film’s music was a rage with scintillating melodies like “Main Zindagi Ka Saath” and “Abhi Na Jao Chod Kar”.

Bollywood who’s who descends for ‘Hum Dono’ in colour

Mumbai, Feb 4 – The premiere of the coloured version of ‘Hum Dono’ was as grand as it must have been when the Dev Anand classic first released 50 years ago. There was no dearth of glitz as superstars like Aamir Khan, Salman Khan and heartthrob Ranbir Kapoor took a walk down memory lane. 

‘Hum Dono’ was the last black and white film from Dev Anand’s banner Navketan and for the first time he played a double role in the movie. 

‘No one can be Dev saab. Dev saab is unique and he is an icon. He is a star. His style and the way he has entertained people for so many years, no one can overshadow him,’ Aamir, who came with his director wife Kiran Rao, told reporters.

To ring in the old world charm, a live band played composer Jaidev’s soulful number ‘Main zindagi ka saath’ in the background while Bollywood’s stars walked the red carpet at Cinemax theatre in Versova Thursday.
Of course, the man of the moment, Dev Anand, was present. Since the 87-year-old had personally invited everyone, he was one of the early birds to arrive at the colourful do. 

He welcomed Dharmendra, Sunny Deol, Govinda, Jackie Shroff, Naseeruddin Shah, Shekhar Suman, Ranjit, Divya Dutta, Shatrughan Sinha, Imtiaz Ali, Shabana Azmi and her lyricist husband Javed Akhtar among many others and their presence made it a memorable moment for the octogenarian star.

The live band and movie posters created a perfect setting for the classic.

‘Dev saab is a genius. He is a true star in the true sense. ‘Hum Dono’ was one of the most important films musically, commercially, as well as romantically. Now as this has been done in colour, we feel happier. It’s like old wine in new bottle,’ Shatrughan told reporters here.

Naseeruddin too praised Dev Anand and his undying spirit.

‘I admire not only Dev saab’s longevity, his spirit and I also love his attitude. I wish all of us could have that kind of attitude towards life, loving it and making the most of it. He never looked back, but looked forward to utilise the energy for a better tomorrow,’ he said.

Set in the backdrop of war, the film is about two army men who are lookalikes and how this complicates their personal lives. Directed by Amarjeet, the film had Nanda and Sadhna as the leading ladies and is still remembered for the immortal song ‘Abhi na jaao chhodkar’.

The film was India’s official entry at the Berlin film festival. The movie was written by his brother Vijay Anand and directed by Amarjeet.

Dev Anand is touched by the overwhelming response and expressed his feelings on Twitter.
‘I am deeply touched to see the love of my fans. I would like to thank Goldie (Vijay Anand) my brother for making such a brilliant film. I missed Sadhna and Nanda very much, I was very keen to invite them but they couldn’t make it,’ he wrote. 

‘I thank Aamir, Kiran, Salman, Ranbir, Govinda, Imtiaz, Faisal, Sunny, Dharam, Shatru, Jaaved, Shabana, Ashutosh, Aditya kapoor, Sanjay Khan, Naseer. Also Uddhav Thackeray, his family, Adnan (Sami), Ketan Desai and all my friends and sorry if I missed any names but love you all. Further, thanks to Prem Chopra, Ranjeet, Bappi, Subbi, Vijay Darda, Venugopal Dhoot, my outstation fans all over.’

He also missed the presence of singing legend Lata Mangeshkar, who sang ‘Allah tero naam’ in the film.
He wrote: ‘Lataji, I wish you were there to see the coloured screening of ‘Hum Dono’, to see your bhajans in colour and hear your voice in Dolby 6.1.’ 

He wrote to Asha Bhosle, who sang the duet ‘Abhi na jaao chhodkar’: ‘Ashaji I was expecting you and through your voice you have magically put so much romance in ‘Abhi na jao chhodkar….’ Great versatile voice and the other ‘Jahan me aisa kaun hai’, another philosophical song.’ 

IANS

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