[ItzToday.com] Rohit Shetty's 'Golmaal 3' a big hit this Diwali

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• Rohit Shetty's 'Golmaal 3' a big hit this Diwali
• Monica Bedi feels like a 'free bird' after verdict
• 'Bigg Boss 4' contestants Sara Khan and Ali Merchant to wear Vikram Phadnis's wedding outfits
• 'Break Ke Baad' shows new break-up mantra
• Lindsay Lohan plans to open a rehab for kids
• Ekta Kapoor: 'Once Upon A Time In Mumbaai' sequel isn't far
• Rahul Bhatt: I'm not sexy enough for 'Jism 2'
• 'Allah Ke Bande' not to compete with 'Guzaarish'

Rohit Shetty's 'Golmaal 3' a big hit this Diwali Posted: 09 Nov 2010 03:16 AM PST Director Rohit Shetty's third instalment in the "Golmaal" franchise came out with triple aces this Diwali with over 90 percent occupancy in its initial weekend. It has beaten Vipul Shah's "Action Replayy". "'Golmaal 3' has done extremely well while 'Action Replayy' had a poor start and was only average over the weekend," trade analyst Amod Mehra told IANS on phone from Mumbai. Both movies opened on Diwali, Friday. While advance bookings for "Golmaal 3" were too strong till Sunday, Akshay Kumar-Aishwarya Rai starrer period comedy "Action Replayy" picked up gradually after a dull start on the first day. The trade reports say "Golmaal 3" raked in around Rs.32 crore in the first three days, while "Action Replayy" earned only half of it - Rs.16.75 crore during the same period. Most of the multiplexes are not so excited with the content of the movies, but at the same time they are happy with the business from "Golmaal 3". " 'Golmaal 3' has been appreciated a lot and the occupancy over the weekend was over 90 percent. While audiences are not really taking well to Akshay and Aishwarya's period stint in 'Action Replayy'. It has had an initial occupancy of only 60-70 percent," Yogesh Raizada, corporate head (Cinemas) of Wave Cinemas told IANS. "We've had 10-12 shows per property on an average for both the movies and considering that no big releases are coming out next Friday, 'Golmaal 3' should have an extended run. It does have a shelf life," he added. Jayendra Banerji, vice president (Operations) of Satyam Cineplexes, said: "The weekend was good as both the movies did good business and had an occupancy between 90-100 percent. 'Golmaal 3' was slightly better with 80 percent occupancy and good reviews from audiences while 'Action Replayy' had around 65-70 percent footfall." With an unprecedented buzz before their release, "Golmaal 3" cashed in on the rapport of its previous two outings. While Ajay Devgn, Kareena Kapoor, Arshad Warsi, Shreyas Talpade, Tusshar Kapoor reprised their roles in part three, Kunal Khemu and Mithun Chakraborty came as new additions to the cast. "Action Replayy", on the other hand, saw Akshay and Aishwarya together as a couple for the first time, but failed to create a spark considering the initial audience reaction. Srikant, a college student who went to watch the movie with his friends, says he had a rollicking time. "We just loved the movie. It is a 'paisa vasool, time pass' laugh riot," he told IANS. PVR Cinemas ran around eight to nine shows of both the movies on an average per property across Delhi and National Capital Region (NCR). A source from the multiplex chain said that "Golmaal 3" did a good business, but the content is disappointing. "The weekend was terrific. 'Golmaal 3' and 'Action Replayy' both did well. But the content of both the movies has not been appreciated that much. It was only due to the pre-release hype that these got a good footfall," said the source. Kanika Jain, an ardent movie fan, too complained about the content saying. "There is no content in 'Golmaal 3'. It was pathetic. I walked out half way."

Monica Bedi feels like a 'free bird' after verdict Posted: 09 Nov 2010 03:04 AM PST Bollywood starlet Monica Bedi has heaved a sigh of relief after the Supreme Court let her free in a passport forgery case Tuesday. She says she feels like a "free bird" now. "Finally! After so many years I feel like a free bird. Now I really believe 'all's well that ends well'. I am so happy to be relieved and I am glad that I can enjoy all rights of a regular Indian citizen now," an elated Monica told IANS on telephone from Mumbai. The 35-year-old, who was earlier linked to underworld don Abu Salem, was caught in Portugal for travelling on a false passport in the name of Sana Malik Kamal. She was sentenced to five years imprisonment by a trial court in Hyderabad in 2006. This was reduced to three years by the Andhra Pradesh High Court. Now the Supreme Court has reduced the period of imprisonment to two years and six months, which she has already undergone. Though Monica has been on bail for three years, she says the passport case has been quite a restriction for her Bollywood comeback. "I have been losing out on a lot of quality work because I didn't have a passport. A lot of films required me to travel abroad, but I just couldn't go without the court's permission. "A lot of filmmakers were also hesitant and skeptical about approaching me because they were not clear whether or not I could travel. Now everything is fine. I can finally enjoy my work," said the actress, who was seen in films like "Jaanam Samjha Karo" and "Jodi No.1". After being in the news for all the wrong reasons since 2002, Monica came back to limelight with reality show "Bigg Boss" in 2008. Thereafter, she featured in reality shows like "Jhalak Dikkhla Jaa 3" and "Desi Girl" and even launched her devotional album "Ek Onkaar". Now she hopes to return to the silver screen. "I am planning to do more reality shows and lots of good movies. I hope everything turns out great for me and life returns to normal. I am confident that better things are waiting to happen in my life," she said. The first international destination Monica would like to visit with her fresh passport is Norway, where she spent 18 years of her life. "I would love to go back to Norway and meet my parents. I haven't been there for long. My house is there and it would be a pleasure to go there, relive my childhood memories and meet all my friends."

'Bigg Boss 4' contestants Sara Khan and Ali Merchant to wear Vikram Phadnis's wedding outfits Posted: 09 Nov 2010 02:56 AM PST Fashion designer Vikram Phadnis is busy designing TV actors Sara Khan and Ali Merchant's costumes for their wedding on the reality show "Bigg Boss 4" Wednesday. "It is indeed a pleasure to design outfits for their big day and a different experience too as I am putting together special outfits for them in just two to three days," Phadnis said in a press statement. The designer is also arranging for exquisite jewellery. "I have also sourced the best of the jewellery in kundan, jadau and polki from Jaipur. It is exotic and expensive and would go well with Sara's outfit. My aim is to make her look beautiful for her D-day," he added. Sara's bridal outfit will have artistic motifs with embellishments and kundan embroidery on the lehenga, while for Ali, Phadnis has planned a sherwani embellished with antique gold thread. Sara and Ali have been seeing each other since the past three years. While Sara entered "Bigg Boss 4" with 13 other housemates Oct 3, Ali was brought in as a surprise contestant only last week. The show airs on Colors.

'Break Ke Baad' shows new break-up mantra Posted: 09 Nov 2010 02:41 AM PST Debutant director Danish Aslam was not interested in telling another run-of-the-mill love story and so he decided to explore space issues in relationships in his forthcoming film "Break Ke Baad". "Space is a word that is used a lot in a modern relationship. It's almost a break-up mantra. I wanted to explore that concept rather than a conventional love story where two people don't know each other, meet and fall in love," Aslam told IANS. "I wanted to show what happens to two people, who have known each other for their entire life, if their relationship breaks. I found the concept more exciting than just writing run-of-the-mill love story." The basic premise of the multi-layered plot is romance and it is through Imran Khan and Deepika Padukone that the director will tell his story on celluloid. It is scheduled for a Nov 26 release. "It has got three different layers actually. One is a simple story about a relationship between two people and what happens when there is a problem in their relationship. "The other layers are a coming-of-age story where these two characters feel claustrophobic within the family bindings as everyone wants them to get married. Then they move to Australia where they live independently," said Aslam. After working as an assistant director to Ashutosh Gowariker in "Swades" (2004), Siddharth Anand in "Salaam Namaste" (2005) and Kunal Kohli in "Fanaa" (2006), he couldn't stop himself from making a love story. "I wrote the story two and a half years ago. I knew that I wanted to make an urban love story. I wanted to make a movie that I could relate to... I have also worked as an assistant to directors like Kunal and Siddharth who have made films of different genres. The choice of genre came from there and I liked the concept," said Aslam. "It's a very commercially viable film, but that's not intended. I didn't want to make a very intense film," he added. Aslam says he doesn't believe in penning a story keeping the lead actors in mind. "I don't believe in writing for any particular person or any particular actor because I think that limits you in your story telling. When you write a story and if you have an actor in mind, you tend to see from that actor's perspective whether he would be able to do that. That draws a limitation. I finished the story and only after that we started thinking who can actually fit the script," said Aslam. Aslam says Imran portrayed the role easily as he portrayed his original self but Deepika had to push herself because personally she doesn't believe in escaping a relationship. "Imran is not acting in the film, he is just being himself. He is a diehard romantic and believes in commitment. In real life too, he is committed for a very long time and that is what he is actually playing in the film. "As far as Deepika goes, I like the spontaneity of an actor that she brings to her character. She is playing a person who is experimental, wants to see the world and doesn't believe in commitment. Deepika had to do a lot more because she doesn't believe in that philosophy in real life," said Aslam. Talking about the genre of the film, he said: "I personally have a big problem with the genre definition. I don't understand how films are defined on the basis of genres. There are lots of movies, which I don't know which genre to put it in. Imran defined it as romantic, coming-of-age comedy. I think that's the genre we are going to stick to." He also denied that his film is a tribute to Bollywood superstar Shah Rukh Khan. "There is no tribute to anybody. There is one shot in the movie where Imran does that 'Main Hoon Na' Shah Rukh move. That is it," said Aslam.

Lindsay Lohan plans to open a rehab for kids Posted: 09 Nov 2010 02:34 AM PST Actress Lindsay Lohan, who is currently undergoing treatment at the Betty Ford Clinic in California, now wants to open a rehabilitation clinic for children and their families. Her mother Dina Lohan revealed the star is so impressed with the facilities at the rehab that she hopes to open one up of her own. "I pray hard and she wants to start her own facilities, help other children. She's so public, we can only be positive and look to the future to help other families," femalefirst.co.uk quoted Dina Lohan as saying. "She's been in a couple of facilities, but this one, to me, has really changed her. They get into your psyche and bring the problem to the surface. "Lindsay wants to stay, she's learning the trigger points and why she turns to drugs," she said. Lindsay was ordered by a Los Angeles court to stay in rehab until Jan 3, 2011, after she tested positive for cocaine during a random drug test in September.

Ekta Kapoor: 'Once Upon A Time In Mumbaai' sequel isn't far Posted: 09 Nov 2010 02:14 AM PST Producer Ekta Kapoor is very proud of the success of her production venture "Once Upon A Time In Mumbaai", and says that her banner may come out with a sequel to the crime thriller that has completed 100 days in theatres. "The response to 'Once Upon A Time In Mumbaai' has been overwhelming and with 'Love Sex Aur Dhokha' earlier this year, we've clearly shown our versatility and mettle as creative producers. I'm sure a sequel to 'Once Upon...' isn't far. We are thankful for the support received from the audience and trade alike," Ekta said in a press statement. Directed by Milan Luthria, "Once Upon A Time In Mumbaai" was released July 30. Set in the 1970s Mumbai, the Ajay Devgn, Emraan Hashmi, Kangana Ranaut and Prachi Desai starrer movie follows the rise and fall of a gangster. "Working on 'Once Upon A Time In Mumbaai' has been a wonderful experience. It was a great collaboration of my creative experience, and strong production and marketing expertise provided by Balaji Motion Pictures, which helped transform my vision into the magical story we saw on screen," said Luthria.

Rahul Bhatt: I'm not sexy enough for 'Jism 2' Posted: 09 Nov 2010 02:05 AM PST Rahul Bhatt, who is itching to start his Bollywood innings, has shot down rumours of being part of his sister Pooja Bhatt's "Jism 2" saying he isn't "sexy enough" for the movie. "There is nothing official about the rumours that I am going to be in 'Jism 2'. The role is very sexual, and I am not as sexy as John Abraham. I cannot play roles like that," Rahul, who was evicted from reality show "Bigg Boss 4" last week, told IANS on phone from Mumbai. He also says it's not necessary that he will be launched by his father's banner Vishesh Films. "The Bhatts are not in the business to launch their sons, brothers and nephews... It's not like my father is going to make my showreel. I have my own showreel with 'Bigg Boss' now... where filmmakers can see how I look from each angle," said Rahul. The 28-year-old wants to do distinct and specific roles. "Movies are on the cards. But I am going to be very choosy about my roles. Personally, I would love to be part of a movie with a patriotic theme. I would like to play a strong and silent guy rather than something to do with romance. I consider myself a hybrid between Salman Khan and Sunny Deol," he said. Rahul, a fitness trainer, first came into the limelight for his acquaintance with Pakistani-American terror convict David Coleman Headley, who's charged with scouting targets for the 26/11 Mumbai mayhem. Despite being Mahesh Bhatt's son, Rahul always maintained a low profile. However, his brush with showbiz came in the form of "Bigg Boss 4". He made good friends with WWE wrestler The Great Khali inside the "Bigg Boss" house, and plans to collaborate with him to promote wrestling in India. "I have always followed Khali's career closely and I am impressed to see how he came from a small town in Himachal Pradesh and went on to become The Great Khali... he is such a nice human being. He told me he wants to launch wrestling schools in India and, god willing, I will help him set it up," said Rahul.

'Allah Ke Bande' not to compete with 'Guzaarish' Posted: 09 Nov 2010 01:56 AM PST With the censor board clamping down on different sequences of violence, drinking and cocaine-sniffing, director-actor Farukh Kabir's "Allah Ke Bande" is further postponed. He has now decided to release it Nov 26 because he doesn't want a clash with Sanjay Leela Bhansali's "Guzaarish". "I am too much in awe of Mr. Bhansali to release with him. I remember when I had just returned from film school in New York, I had approached Mr. Bhansali for a job as an assistant. He didn't entertain my request. Destiny, I guess," said Kabir who also plays an important part in the movie. Produced by Ravi Walia, the film starring Sharman Joshi, Naseeruddin Shah, Atul Kulkarni and Anjana Sukhani was originally scheduled to release Nov 12. The makers then considered a Nov 18 release, a day before "Guzaarish" hits the screens. It has now been moved to Nov 26. "We thought we'd incorporate the changes in a few days and send off our overseas prints in time for Bakr-Eid release on Nov 18. But now it seems we won't be able to release before Nov 26. Fortunately, I've a very supporting producer and Naseer Saab is also with me," be added. The censors are the culprits behind the delay in the film. "They asked for four cuts. One of them is a gory prison fight involving kids. We were asked to reduce about 30 seconds of the two-minute violence. The censor board said they had to be extra-sensitive in issues involving children. I completely agree with that," he said. Kabir was surprised when he was asked to delete scenes showing a guy sniffing cocaine and men consuming alcohol. "We were asked to completely do away with the scenes showing a guy sniffing cocaine. And the censorboard had a problem with shots of people consuming alcohol because the brand name of an alcohol showed up on screen. I wasn't even aware it was showing," he said. The problem is Kabir has no substitute stock to supplement these deletions. "We shot very cut-to-cut. There's no extra footage. So how do I fill the deleted footage? Me and my editor are going crazy figuring it out," said the director who assisted Saeed Mirza and is now keen to show the veteran filmmaker "Allah Ke Bande".

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