White sand, red hot!

Source: Mumbai Mirror

Date: April 5, 2006

Reports are that Ashutosh Gowarikar has ordered nearly 50 trucks of white sand from Jaipur, just to recreate the effect of in Karjat, where they're shooting now. The director who has been shooting for his magnum opus Jodha Akbar at Nitin Desai's Studio in Karjat for the last one month, panicked when he realised that Mumbai soil was not a patch on Jaipur soil.

"He needed to take shots of animals and even the long shots would require detailed shots of the soil," says our source. Finally, Ashutosh decided to get trucks loaded with white sand from Jaipur to maintain continuity and not compromise on the production standards of his film. "The same type of sand from Jaipur was ordered so that the authenticity of the film was maintained. White sand is the speciality of Jaipur and they couldn't cheat audiences by using anything else. Finally, huge trucks full of white sands were imported from Jaipur and nearly 65 employees were asked to spread the sands all over," says our source. A good many lakhs of rupees were spent in this exercise though, even though exact figures are difficult to obtain.

This historical film is based on the life of Jodhabai and Mughal emperor Akbar. Hrithik Roshan and Aishwarya Rai play the lead roles. "The soil of Mumbai anyway absorbs heat which can get unbearable. But now these white sands are something that absorb even more heat during the summer. So, most of the actors are finding it difficult to give their shots. There are some scenes where character artistes are required to give shots barefoot since in those days, people used to walk without shoes. This is becoming a bit of a problem situation since most of the actors are professional and Ashutosh is making it sure that everyone is treated with equal comfort," says our source.

After all, Ashutosh wouldn't want to be a cruel master would he?

A brush with the stars

Source: DNA India

Date: April 03, 2007

Make-up artiste GA James on the ‘real’ Hrithik Roshan behind his mask.

Hrithik Roshan

* I first met him when Rakeshji (Roshan) was launching ‘Kaho Naa Pyaar Hai’. I was called to give the trial for Ameesha Patel. They liked my work and I was on.

* I gave Hrithik two different looks for his double role in the film too. Since then, he hasn’t faced the camera without me.

* He has great shiny skin. He doesn’t care much for make-up. It’s looking the character that he is playing, be it in ‘Koi Mil Gaya’, ‘Krrish’ or ‘Dhoom 2’, which is important to him.

* He has seen huge success but he has remained unchanged as a person. He is the same humble Hrithik. If he doesn’t like something, he will not shout. He simply gives you a freezing look. He doesn’t have to say anything. I understand.

* He’s a family man and shares a great friendship with wife Sussanne. After pack-up he doesn’t waste a minute and heads straight home. He loves playing with his son Rehan.

* Rehan has his mother’s eyes and is always smiling. Rakeshji is extremely fond of Rehan and keeps his photographs in the office. He keeps adding new ones all the time.

* On outdoors, Hrithik takes the entire unit for dinner. He decides the menu and gives us all a good time. Hrithik loves chicken, fish and paneer. He takes five meals a day.

* In ‘Jodha Akbar’ he looks like a real king. I don’t think anybody could look as sexy.

James’ diary

* Has two decades of experience in film, theatre and TV.

* Has been nominated as the best make-up artiste for ‘Dhoom 2’ for the IIFA Awards.

* Has worked with celebrities including Aamir Khan and Sachin Tendulkar.

* Specialised skills include effect masking, period work, wig application and special-light effects.

* Recent projects include ‘Namastey London’, ‘Shaka Laka Boom Boom’.

Dhoom Machale

dhoom again and run away with me
on a rollercoaster ride
dhoom again and see your wildest
dreams
slowly come alive
dhoom again and gotta break the
rules
and party all the time
dhoom againwe gotta steal the
show
you know that ain’t no crime
so steal all that you can
the magic you begun
let’s shout,break out
comes on once againlets hear it
dhoom machaale………
-----------------------------------------------------------
---------------------------2-----------------------------
dhoom againand feel the beat of
the rythem
rythem of the night
dhoom again and hear the voices
calling
creatures of the night
dhoom again and see the shadows
dancing
in the pale moonlight
dhoom againa and feel your
heartbeat pumping
now the time is right
so go walk out the door
get down….get on the floor
let’s shout break out
come on once again let’s hear it
dhoom machale
--------------------------------------------------------
----------------------------3------------------------
and when love comes your way
you’ll know its here to stay
you’ll steal the chance ‘cose you’re
the thief of hearts yeah
you’ll win with a galance
walk away with your romance
there’s no more ther’s no backing
out now

dhoom again and make the whole
world crazy
set your spirit free
dhoom again anf take a break right
now
come celeberate with me
dhoom again ‘cos all wanna do
is steal the showsomehow
shoom again ‘cos all i wanna say
is hey the time is now
let nothing get you down
go out and paint the town
let;s shout break out
come on once again lets hear it
doom machale….

Dhoom macha de!

Source: TNN

Date: March 30, 2007

By: Rubina Khan

Bollywood kiddies run riot at Hrehaan Roshan’s 1st birthday party

It was a kiddie jungle out there (what with it being a Jungle Book theme) when Hrithik and Sussanne Roshan's baby boy turned one on March 28. Hrithik flew down straight from an ad shoot in Bangkok for Hrehaan’s special day, where he cut a Jungle Book cake. More than 40 kids, from Shah Rukh and Gauri Khan’s kids Suhana and Aryan to Akshay and Twinkle Kumar's son Aarav, along with their mommies, attended Hrehaan first birthday party at his Juhu home at about 4 in the afternoon.

“I have never seen a one-year-old kid enjoying his own birthday so much. He was a rock star at his party,” said doting grandmother Pinky Roshan whose sentiments were echoed by grandmom Zarine Khan, “Hrehaan didn’t cry at all and had so much fun!” Hrehaan wore cargo pants, replete with a cap and no, he didn’t break into a Dhoom 2 jig like super dad Hrithik!

Rakesh Roshan just enjoyed watching his grandson having a blast, as did aunt Sunaina and her daughter Suranika. Rani Mukerji came with her little niece, Kajol with daughter Nysa, Zayed and Malaika Khan, Farah and Aqeel Ali along with Fiza and Azaan, Simone and Ajay Arora with their three kids, Malaika Arora-Khan with her son Arhaan, it was a full house at the Roshan fold, with the kids running around and having a blast.

Hrithik, Kajol bag top Zee awards

Source: Malaysia Sun

Date: 2nd April, 2007

Hrithik Roshan won the best actor award for his superhero act in 'Krrish' while Kajol was adjudged best actress for 'Fanna' at the Zee Cine Awards in Malaysia.

The best director award went to Rakeysh Omprakash Mehra for 'Rang De Basanti'. The film also won the Best Film of the Year award at the Aditya Birla Group Zee Cine Awards 2007 at a function at this popular hill resort Sunday attended by a galaxy of Bollywood celebrities.

'Lage Raho Munnabhai' and 'Rang De Basanti' bagged the maximum awards as well as the Power Team awards for their respective film units.

Current heartthrob Abhishek Bachchan, who did a rock n' roll number with his fiancee Aishwarya Rai at the event, received the best supporting actor male award for his performance in 'Kabhi Alvida Naa Kehan' while Konkona Sen Sharma won the best supporting actress trophy for her powerful performance in 'Omkara'.

Saif Ali Khan, who co-hosted a segment of the show with main host Karan Johar, was honoured with the best actor in a negative role for playing Langda Tyagi in 'Omkara'. Arshad Warsi won the best comic actor award for 'Lage Raho Munna Bhai'.

In the critics award segment Sanjay Dutt was given the best actor (critics) trophy for 'Lage Raho Munnabhai', while the film also bagged the best entertainer (critics) award. Gul Panag and Ayesha Takia won the best actress critics award for 'Dor'.

Rekha won the Forever Diva Award while Vinod Khanna was given the Lifetime Achievement award.

The award for best screenplay went to Vidhu Vinod Chopra, Rajkumar Hirani and Abhijit Joshi, the best dialogue to Rajkumar Hirani and Abhijit Joshi and best story to Hirani - all for 'Lage Raho Munnabhai'.

Prasoon Joshi won the best lyricist award for hit number 'Paatshala' in 'Rang De Basanti' and A.R. Rahman bagged the best music director trophy for the same film.

Shaan was adjudged best singer male for 'Chand sifaarish' in 'Fanna' and Alka Yagnik the best female singer for 'Tumhi dekho naa...' in 'Kabhi Alvida Naa Kehna'. The Radio Mirchi best track of the year award went to 'Bidee', while Ganesh Acharya got the best choreographer award for the same song. The best background score went to Salim Sulaiman for 'Krrish'.

In the technical award category - best visual effects went to Craig Mamma and best action to Shyam Kaushal for 'Krrish'. P.S. Bharti got the Renu Saluja award for best editing for 'Rang De Basanti' while Vinod Pradhan bagged the best cinematography for the same film.

Best audiography award went to Jeetendra Chaudhary for 'Krrish' and best song recording to 'Salman Afridi' for 'Omkara'.

Anna Singh bagged the best costume award for 'Umrao Jaan' and Sharmishtha Roy for best art direction in 'Kabhi Alvida Naa Kehna'.

Preity Zinta, Aishwarya Rai, Riteish Deshmukh, Abhishek Bachchan and Shah Rukh Khan kept the audience spellbound with some great dance numbers at the gala.


Good boy' Hrehaan Roshan earns high praise from mom Sussanne as he turns one

Celebrations continue at the Roshans' Juhu residence, as star son Hrehaan turned one on March 28. Hrithik, who rushed in from sets of Jodha Akbar at Karjat, and wife Sussanne settled for a small birthday party for their baby boy on Wednesday evening. The guests included close family friends. Hrehaan, says, mommy Sussanne is "doing really, really well. It's good to be his mom."

With papa Hrithik rushing through a hectic schedule the family didn't have any grand plans for the day. Says Sussanne, "I had this little birthday thing at home."

Ask her about her son's activities and she says, "No, thankfully he's a very good baby and he doesn't trouble me at all." The star son who is yet to make his appearance hardly resembles daddy. Says Sussanne, "He is too cute. He has got my looks more than Hrithik's."

However, mommy refused to reveal the gifts that she got for baby Hrehaan. "Just lots of love," she says.

Despite injuring himself, Hrithik continued to shoot for an ad film.

Source: Mumbai Mirror

Date: April 2, 2007

By: Kunal M Shah

The superstar hired a chopper to avoid delays and stayed in a five-star at his own expense

Hrithik Roshan has taken his superhero role to heart. While shooting for an ad film, he injured himself but decided to continue shooting. With limited time off from Jodha Akbar, he had three days on hand for the ad film shoot and he made sure he met his commitments.

Hrithik Roshan injured his ankle and sprained a muscle while shooting for the ad for a mobile phone company. However, keeping the deadline in mind, he hired a chopper to reach the venue in town and stayed back at a five-star hotel to finish the shoot according to schedule.

Hrithik Roshan says, "Yes, I did injure myself while shooting but since I had made a commitment, I didn't think it would be right to abruptly stall the shoot. I took some painkillers to ease the pain and decided to continue the shoot."

He further adds, "A campaign is not just about the artiste. It also involves hard work of a lot of people behind the scene and I felt that I could overcome the pain rather than delay the entire project."

Dhiraj Soni, marketing manager of the product, informs, "Yes, we were shooting at Yashraj studios and he had given us about three days to shoot the ad. It was a photo shoot that displayed his energy and athletic prowess, when he sprained his back muscle very badly. He was obviously in a lot of pain. But, he took painkillers and finished the day's shoot. We were worried about the next day, but I appreciate his commitment to his job and his intention to finish, according to schedule. He came to the shoot next day which was at Mukesh Mills in a chopper and stayed in a five-star in town, so that he didn't have to travel and he paid for all the expenses. I genuinely appreciate his effort and his company Carving Dreams which left no stone unturned to finish the shoot as per the deadline."

Celebrate frnzzz

The 69th and 70th BFJA Awards took place at the Yuba Bharati Stadium on March 15. The announcements of prizes awarded to cinema and television personalities were made at a press conference in the city on March 02. Besides paying a tribute to the late director Hrishikesh Mukherjee, BFJA (Bengal Film Journalists Association) also honoured the contribution of film people both from Tollywood and Hindi films. However, due to snags of an available platform, this year marked a double event as the ceremony could not take place last year. The Satyajit Ray Lifetime Achievement Award for 2005 went to Manna Dey while Yash Chopra received the same award for 2006. The three best films in Bengali for 2005 are Krantikaal, Nishijapan and Antarmahal. For 2006, the same award goes to Faltu, Dosar and Bhalobashar Anek Naam. Sanjay Leela Bhansali bagged the Best Director Award for Black in 2005 with the best actor and best actress awards going to Amitabh Bachchan and Rani Mukerji for the Best Film in Hindi. For 2006, Lage Raho Munnabhai was chosen the Best Film and Rakesh Roshan the Best Director for Krrish. Hrithik Roshan got the Best Actor Award for 2006 for his performance in Krrish and Ayesha Takia the Best Actress for Dor. In the Bengali category, Anjan Das was selected the Best Director for Faltu in 2006, while Prosenjit and Sreelekha Mitra got the Best Actor and Best Actress Awards for their roles in Dosar and Kantataar respectively.