December News 2007

Buddha mil gaya
December 25, 2007
Beyond Dreams Entertainment Limited is set to produce a historic film to be directed by esteemed filmmaker Shyam Benegal based on Gautam Buddha. Talks are also on for roping in Hrithik for the film.

If all goes well, Hrithik Roshan will star in Shyam Benegal's upcoming film based on the life of Buddha. The film will be co-produced by two production houses from Sri Lanka and Benegal himself. When contacted, Benegal confirmed that he had approached Hrithik. He said," Hrithik is quite keen to do the film and has asked for the script. Right now, we are working on putting the script together."The script will be written by Atul Tiwari. Benegal added, "We will take some time to get the script in place. But yes, I am keen on casting Hrithik. I feel he will suit the character of Buddha. His facial features are appropriate for the role." Benegal further said that he did not have anybody in mind for the female lead as yet. However, this film will be different from the usual Benegal film, with a more mainstream flavour. "It will be a very expensive project. I am looking forward to it," Benegal said.

Hrithik in Gold Coast
December 25, 2007
On doctor's orders, Hrithik has left for Australia for for further resting his injured knee. Rakesh Roshan said that Hrithik's next film, an action thriller-cum-love story, will be produced by him and directed by Anurag Basu and shooting will start in July next year. Before that Hrithik will shoot an item number for Krazzy 4 in March but Rakesh warned that he won't shoot the song if he feels Hrithik's knee is not up to it

Hrithik Roshan's next film will be produced by papa Rakesh Roshan, directed by Anurag Basu (Metro, Gangster) and will roll in July 2008. "It's an action thriller-cum-love story. Hrithik and I think very highly of Anurag Basu as a director," says Rakesh Roshan. The star has just returned from two weeks in Singapore and leaves for the Gold Coast in Australia, for further resting his injured knee. Hrithik's knee injury got aggravated due to the stunts in his recent films. "The doctors have told him to rest the knee for two months or face the consequences," says the concerned dad.

After Jodhaa Akbar, Hrithik will be seen in an item number for his father's production, Krazzy 4. "People wondered how I could make a film without Hrithik. So here he is doing his first item song. The song which will be shot in March. However let me warn Hrithik's fans, if I feel his knee is not up to it, I won't shoot the song." Rakesh is taking a break from direction. "I've spent 40 years in the industry and enjoyed it, but I need to devote time to my family." He promises Krazzy 4 will be unlike recent comedies. "It's funny but not slapstick or vulgar. I am confused by the kind of films that are doing well. I'd rather not direct than make the kind of stuff that clicks these days."

Superhit muqabla
December 25, 2007
Mumbai Mirror reports that Shah Rukh Khan to play a negative character in Krrish 2. Neither Rakesh Roshan or SRK have confirmed it. When contacted, Rakesh says, "We are still working on it and we will make an official announcement as soon as we work out the details."

Jodhaa Akbar release postponed to Febuary
December 24, 2007
It's confirmed, the release of Jodhaa Akbar has been postponed to February 15, 2008. The soundtrack composed by A.R Rahman will be released on January 9 through UTV Music.

UTV Motion Pictures and Ashutosh Gowariker's much awaited epic romance Jodhaa Akbar, starring Hrithik Roshan and Aishwarya Rai Bachchan, is slated for a worldwide release on 15th February, 2008. The soundtrack, composed by music maestro A.R. Rahman and lyrics written by Javed Akhtar, will release on 9th January through UTV's new record label UTV Music. The change of release date is due to the fact that Ashutosh Gowariker has been advised bed rest for 21 days with a severe back problem. The director was scheduled to be in Chennai for this entire week to finish the background score of the film, but could not move out because of strict instructions from his doctors not to travel. Referring to his back problem, Ashutosh stated, "I am sad that this had to happen in the thick of post production; it is unfortunate, but it has to be dealt with."

Meanwhile, Hrithik is back in Mumbai and is ready to promote the film. He has expressed a keen desire to be a part of all the meetings to decide on the publicity of the film with the director and producer. Reports say, "Hrithik is back and has just finished shooting for the making of JA yesterday. Why will he have any differences with Ashutosh Gowariker or Aishwarya? He is a thorough professional and is looking forward to the release of the film. He doesn't have any reason or plans to skip the music launch of the film. He will be there for the music launch and will promote the film, too."

People will forget Ash and Hrithik: Ashutosh Gowariker
December 24, 2007
Ashutosh Gowariker opens up on Jodhaa-Akbar

Aishwarya Rai and Hrithik Roshan have very contemporary personalities?
That won't be a problem. The audience will come in and forget everything about Hrithik and Aishwarya. I've no fear of that. The two are brilliant Ultimately the audience will be watching not the stars but the two characters that they play.

Perhaps audiences would want to see Abhishek playing Akbar?
Hrithik-Aishwarya's pairing is incredible. They're extremely charismatic and good-looking. They were a huge success in the contemporary Dhoom 2. That can only help my film, not harm it. What audiences will see in my film are Jodha and Akbar. At least that's what I've tried to ensure through their looks, body language and behaviour. I wanted to make my historical as believable as I'd like to see it being. Full interview

Video Download: Jodhaa Akbar TV Spots
December 22, 2007
The official Jodhaa Akbar site has been updated with 2 TV spots, Azeem O Shaan Shahenshah and Jashn E Bahaara, download here and here. ANI has an interview with Ashutosh where he talks about making the movie.

Will Jodha Akbar get postponed again?
December 22, 2007
Rumour has it that the release of Jodhaa Akbar may be postponed again to February or March, darn!

Hrithik returns 30 crores to Adlabs
December 22, 2007
Indya.com reports that Hrithik has returned Rs 30 crore that he had received from Adlabs for a three-film deal with them.

The inside buzz is that Roshan Jr. feels his market value presently is much more than that and having signed a top Hollywood agent in the West, he is looking forward to a bigger avenue. An Adlabs official confirmed that the deal was off but refused to go on record. Industry insiders revealed to us, "Under the deal, the Bollywood super hero had full liberty to choose the script and the director he wanted to direct it. But now with more than a year having passed by, not a single project could take off as Hrithik did not approve of any single script that was offered to him by Adlabs. It was then, it is learnt, that Rakesh Roshan suggested Hrithik to return back the entire amount and break himself free from the agreement he was in with Adlabs."

Sources add, "Before leaving for Singapore for a six week break to recuperate his knee injury, Hrithik made sure all formalities in regards to the contract termination were done." Meanwhile, a trade source tells us, "The Adlabs deal was signed before Dhoom 2 happened which was Hrithik's consecutive success after Krrish. The major credit for the Dhoom sequel went to Hrithik alone and his market standing rocketed sky high. With other stars like Akshay Kumar and Salman Khan being offered much lucrative packages by top production houses, Hrithik must have felt it would be unreasonable getting stuck in a three-film deal for a long term with no script working to his favour. Also, with Brad Pitt's management firm, Brillstein-Grey having signed him, his prospects of working with big names in the West has increased. So in fact in a way it is also very professional of Hrithik having terminated the deal instead of keeping them hanging after bagging projects abroad."

Another source reveals, "Interestingly, the Anil Ambani group owned Reliance Entertainment that holds the majority stake in Adlabs presently, has started making its moves to woo the Dhoom 2 star. They have been recommending several scripts but he is yet to give his nod to any of those." It has also been learnt that the hunky actor has been rejecting scripts left right centre from even top filmmakers such as Rakeysh Omprakash Mehra (for Dilli 6), Rajkumar Hirani, Anurag Kashyap, John Mathew Mathan and even Ram Gopal Varma. Sources close to him tell us, "It is not that he is not interested in working with them but none of the scripts offered by these makers are charging him up to sign on the dotted line."

Hrithik to give up Akbar look
December 22, 2007
Hrithik will soon give up is Akbar look, according to reports he's discussing his new look with Anurag Basu for a new project.

Hrithik Roshan grew his side locks and sported a long mane for his period film Jodhaa Akbar. But now that the film is ready for release, the light-eyed actor is all set to get rid of his long locks. A source reveals that Hrithik will change his hairstyle soon, "To maintain the continuity of his character, Hrithik wasn't allowed to cut his hair till last month." The source adds that Hrithik's new haircut will be drastically different. "He will get a crop cut for a project he's presently discussing with Anurag Basu. Hrithik is presently discussing his new look with his stylist." Hrithik who is currently recuperating from a knee injury will return in front of the arclights for his dad's production Krazzy Four. He will sport a very different look in the song as well."

JA music launch delayed
December 18, 2007
Director Ashutosh Gowariker has posted an update on the official Jodhaa Akbar message board regarding the launch of JA soundtrack. It was supposed to be released today but the launch has been postponed. He also mentioned that they have added two instrumental tracks in addition to the 5 songs on the soundtrack.

Video Download: Hrithik's Aids Ad
December 18, 2007
Himanshi and Sarah have captured Hrithik's commercial for Aids awareness, download here

SRK, Hrithik to get Krazzy
December 18, 2007
Reports say that Hrithik and Shah Rukh Khan, will be seen together in an item song for Rakesh Roshan's Krazzy 4.

Rakesh Roshan had approached Khan to make an appearance in the film which is believed to have not one or two but four item songs – one of which is to star Hrithik and SRK. "Rakesh had approached Shah Rukh to make an appearance in the film and SRK has agreed to do it. Hrithik is also very keen to have the King Khan in the song with him. The song will be shot early next year as Hrithik is currently in Singapore for his knee treatment," reveals a source close to the film.

The source also says that Rakesh Roshan recently met with Shah Rukh who is enjoying a sabbatical of sorts with no film on hand. "Shah Rukh doesn't have any film under his belt right now. So after Hrithik made an appearance in OSO, they approached SRK who was more than happy to return the favour."

"Everything is being kept very hush hush as they don't want to divulge anything. But it is going to be a huge thing. Even the sets for the film is sprawling so for this number Rakesh is going to go all out. And it will be one of the best item songs ever made!" boasts the source.

Video: Jodhaa Akbar TV Spot
December 15, 2007
Himanshi has captured Jodhaa Akbar TV spot on MTV with the song "Azeem o Shan Shehensha", watch video here, no new footage in the trailer so I'm not putting this up for download.

Hrithik won Pogo Amazing Kids Awards
December 15, 2007
Hrithik has won for a Pogo Amazing Kids award for Most Amazing Bollywood Star. The event will be televised on December 29 at 6 p.m. on Pogo.

Jodhaa Akbar heads for Berlin fest
December 13, 2007
AOL India reports that Jodhaa Akbar will be shown at the Berlin International Film Festival. Sources say Ashutosh has already left for Germany and that the film will be showcased at the event.

Lights, cameras and action for the Roshans
December 9, 2007
A look at what the Roshans are up to in 2008.

After a rather subdued 12 months, the Roshan family has been activated again. For one, get ready for a splash of Jodhaa Akbar as Ashutosh Gowariker’s team has smartly planned a blitzkrieg. Interviews and photo sessions have begun, Hrithik Roshan will be the cover boy of at least two film glossies in January, with many more to follow all through the first month of the new year. But unlike the overdrive that Shah Rukh and Sanjay Leela Bhansali went into this Diwali, Hrithik Roshan isn’t too keen to bombard the channels with his presence. Right now there is no desire to be a guest on every reality show which, anyway, is getting to be too predictable to be palatable. After the Om Shanti Om and Saawariya teams showed the way, John, Bipasha and the ubiquitous football followed suit but laid a duck at the box office. So aggressive promotion on every Sa Re Ga Ma Pa and Nach Baliye (and their counterparts on other channels) is not on the cards for the Jodhaa-Akbar cast. Hopefully, Ashutosh has something more tasteful up his sleeve.

A little bird from Karjat whispers that while Hrithik respects Ashutosh the filmmaker and person, he isn’t particularly delighted by the inordinate delay in the making and release of Jodhaa Akbar. All through 2007 Hrithik has been absent from the screen but he’s going to make up for it in the new year. “I’d like to do 10 films next year!” laughs Hrithik. “If only I could find 10 scripts that excite me enough to want to do them.”

What he is doing right now is resting his knees — three years of relentless, demanding physical work (Krrish, Dhoom:2, Jodhaa Akbar) have taken their toll. The doctors have advised him to give his body a rest or else. In fact, last Sunday Hrithik told me that his doctors were even scouring the globe to find him a nice getaway where he can rejuvenate himself before the Jodhaa juggernaut rolls with endless media appearances. The huge release apart, Hrithik Roshan will begin the year by also shooting a promotional dance number for Krazy 4, the first film in recent years that Rakesh Roshan has produced but not directed. “Hopefully it will be retained in the film as well,” says Hrithik.

The surprise in 2008 is that Rakesh Roshan has two big films to announce — and he won’t direct either of them, not even the Krrish sequel. “I was very impressed by Rang De Basanti,” explains Rakesh Roshan. So when its director Rakeysh Mehra casually told Hrithik’s dad that he’d like to make a film like Krrish and could he have a go at its sequel, RR was only too happy to hand him the assignment. The Roshans are being extremely practical about it. Instead of possessively holding on to Krrish, Rakesh Roshan remarks since he has already made Koi…Mil Gaya and Krrish, a new director would bring to the sequel a new sensibility and a new vision. “Abroad too, something like the Superman series is produced by the same studio but directed by different people,” points out Rakesh Roshan. “Besides,” says he, “Hrithik will also get to work with a new director.”

Make that two new directors. Making quite a departure from norm, Rakesh Roshan personally called up Anurag Basu to come and make a film for them. It’s all because of a film called Gangster. “I was looking at the nominations of various awards last year when I kept seeing Gangster among all the big, known names. I got curious and got a DVD of the film.” The film-maker in Rakesh Roshan recognised the rare talent of Anurag Basu and called him up. Today, the Filmkraft banner is making a film that will star Hrithik Roshan with Anurag Basu as director. “Yes, the film with Anurag is definitely on,” says the actor.

In fact, before the Krrish sequel, the month of April will see Hrithik being directed by Anurag in a Rakesh Roshan production. Meanwhile, Krazy 4 will be ready for a May audience. To top all that activity, Hrithik and Susanne are expecting their second baby in early 2008. So there’s going to be plenty of action all through the new year — new films and a new baby. “Yes, but one’s got nothing to do with the other,” laughs Hrithik Roshan.

The relief of being back in circulation after being cooped up in a studio in Karjat is all too evident.

45 secs JA trailer
December 9, 2007
The official Jodhaa Akbar site has been updated, a new 45 seconds TV spot for the movie has been posted in the trailer section, download hi-res or med-res (right click and save)

Hrithik in Singapore for treatment
December 6, 2007
Times of India reports that Hrithik is currently recuperating from a torn knee injury, he's taking a six week break to get treatment in Singapore for his injury and to rest and recuperate. He will be back in Mumbai sometime in January for the release of Jodhaa Akbar.

I've been meeting directors and producers with my legs resting on the table," says Hrithik Roshan, nestled comfortably on his sofa in his plush apartment in Juhu, legs perched on a low table, "but I tell them that this is not because the success of Dhoom 2 has gone to my head!" he laughs. The reason behind this demeanour is that Hrithik had pushed himself to the limit during the shoot of Krishh and Dhoom 2 and as a result, he had torn a ligament in his right knee. Last night, the actor left for Singapore for a well-deserved, six-week break to rest and recuperate from the injury but before that, he spoke to BT about the complications that led to the same.

"I think too much of abuse during Krishh and Dhoom 2 and some portions of Jodha Akbar where I had to do a lot of action stuff led to this. I basically succumbed to the notion that we're all heroes and pain doesn't matter," he says. So Hrithik has been strapping himself and going through the pain and getting the shot done. "I understand now how foolish I have been!" he smiles. The actor has identified Singapore as the place where he can get the best medical treatment for his problem and will be undergoing aggressive physiotherapy sessions for the next six weeks. He will be going there alone for the time being, but wife Sussane has plans to join him later.

But Hrithik admits he's not a good patient. "It's very hard for me to do nothing. I have to force myself to rest! It's the hardest thing for me to do. If you tell me that I have to run 24 hours a day for the next 10 days to make my knee better, I will do it, because I have something do! That's a challenge for me. Resting is against my personality," he says. But maybe that's the reason he's reached this point where he has to force himself to rest? "That's true," he admits with a laugh.

The actor will be back in Mumbai sometime in January, close to Jodha Akbar's release date. "The film has taken far longer than what we thought it would take, but then time is immaterial when you're talking about climbing an Everest. Jodha Akbar for me is an Everest, so it doesn't matter how much time it takes to conquer that peak, as long as we've achieved that task and that has been done. It has juiced me out completely and I can say that I deserve this little break now," he smiles.

Video Download: B Blunt Saloon launch - NDTV
December 5, 2007
Added another clip of Hrithik at the launch of B Blunt Saloon from NDTV, thanks to Manish for the rip, download here.

Pogo Amazing Kids Awards nominees announced
December 5, 2007
Hrithik has been nominated for Pogo Kids Awards for Most Amazing Super Star and Dhoom 2 is nominated for Most Amazing Film and Most Amazing Song. The event will be televised on December 29 at 6 p.m. on Pogo.

Hrithik Roshan signs up lead role for Eros
December 5, 2007
Eros International have signed Hrithik as the main lead for their debut co-production venture.

Eros International, the London AIM listed leading integrated company within the Indian media & entertainment sector and Carving Dreams Motion Pictures, a division of Carving Dreams Entertainment Pvt. Ltd., the country's leading talent agency have signed Bollywood Superstar Hrithik Roshan as the main lead for their debut co-production venture.

Hrithik Roshan confirmed the news and said, "Yes, I am positively excited about this venture and am looking forward to work with two of the best in our industry. Carving Dreams entertainment p ltd, manage my business profile in terms of endorsements, appearances etc… hence agreeing to do their debut film production project is a step towards strengthening our existing relationship. While Eros International is known for their excellent film production and global distribution network, so it helps to work with the best. I am confident that this union is definitely going to be a winner. "

Kishore Lulla, Chairman & CEO, Eros International further added, "We are happy to be working with Carving Dreams, one of the best outfits in the business of celebrity and entertainment marketing. I am delighted that Hrithik Roshan will be playing the lead role. That has elevated out first project together to an entirely different level. We are looking forward to a wonderful relationship & many more such ventures and specifically giving this particular film a great global distribution and marketing platform pulling our entire group's resources together."

Announcing the deal, Bunty Bahl, Director, Carving Dreams Motion Pictures said, "We are very pleased to be collaborating with Eros International, who are clearly the market leaders in film production and global distribution today. Having worked closely with Hrithik Roshan as his business mangers for over two years now, we hope to be sensitive to his creative needs and expect him to be involved in our film beyond the boundaries of an actor. As we foray into film production, Hrithik was the most natural choice for us to fortify our relationship further. The Hrithik-Carving Dream-Eros combo is sure to create waves."

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