“Veer” movie is of a different genre – Salman Khan

Mumbai, Salman Khan says period dramas usually give the impression that people in past eras never used to laugh, but promises that his new movie “Veer” will have its light moments.

“We haven’t followed the regular format. This has emotion, drama and comedy unlike other period films, which always casts an impression that no one used to laugh in those days,” Salman told IANS in an interview.

“The language has undergone a huge change. The dialogues are in contemporary language but would show that people of that time used to speak and behave like this,” he added.

“Veer”, slated to release Jan 22, is a story of bravery, treachery and love. The story revolves around the 18th century Pindaris who preferred death to dishonour and fought to their last breath to save their land. Salman plays the lead role.

Throwing light on how his co-star Zarine Khan joined the cast, Salman said: “The film is of a different genre, so we needed a young fresh look. More than that we needed somebody with a yesteryear look. How our grandmothers and great grandmothers used to look, we needed someone like them.

“Just two weeks were left to start the film and we didn’t have anyone who would fit the role. We were searching left, right and centre and met her by coincidence on the set of Subhash Ghai’s ‘Yuvvraaj’.”

Salman denies any resemblance between Zarine and his girlfriend Katrina Kaif.

“Except being fair and having a sharp nose, I don’t see any similarity between them. Give god that credit for not making two people identical,” said Salman.

The film’s story has been written by Salman himself and while scripting it he was scared whether his father Salim Khan, a noted writer, would approve. “I showed the story to my father and the biggest fear was what is he going to say. But he said it’s a good story.”

When asked why he chose to make a period film now, he said, “I had written the story 20 years ago but at that time it wasn’t possible to make the film. I thought now is the right time to make it, so I did.”

This is Salman’s second film as a scriptwriter. His first was the 1990 movie “Baghi” and there is a common thread running through both the scripts – the father-son relationship.

” ‘Baghi’ showed a good relationship between a father and son, ‘Veer’ does that too. I believe that father and son should be the best of friends. Today, my father and me chat, drink and chill out together.

“But if I cross my line, I run away. I stay outdoor for two months. That’s the chemistry they should share. The respect should also be there,” said Salman who claims that he could be a good father.

“I am not sure how good I would be as a husband, but I believe I would be a good father. One has to get married, I will also get married but haven’t decided when.”

The actor has been in the industry for more than two decades and has played a variety of roles, worked in various genres and sported different looks.

Asked if there was anything particular he looked forward to as an actor, he said, “No yaar. I do whatever comes my way.”

My next movie has to be a lighter affair – Karan Johar

Mumbai, Director Karan Johar wants to go back to “song and dance” movies after “My Name Is Khan”, which is about the journey of an unusual couple living in the US post- 9/11 terrorist attacks.

“I have given my three years, heart, soul and body to ‘My Name Is Khan’. Now I would love to get back to songs and dances. I guess it’s the need of the hour for me,” said Karan who is known for making light movies like “Kuch Kuch Hota Hai” and “Kabhi Khushi Kabhie Gham”.

“Making a film is all about the state of mind – three years back I felt that I had to tell the story of ‘My Name Is Khan’. Perhaps after making my ’song and dance’ film, I would be fed up again and make something else thereafter. However, as of now I am very clear that my next movie has to be a lighter affair,” he said.

Talking about the trigger point that led to conceptualising of “My Name Is Khan”, he said: “It was basically a film that was needed to be addressed. I had certain feelings and wanted them to be translated for screen. Moreover, this idea also required me to get out of my safety zone.”

Releasing Feb 12, “My Name Is Khan” stars Shah Rukh Khan and Kajol and Karan worked with writer Shibani Bathija on the movie. He did a lot of research work for the movie.

“More than just the visual presentation on screen, what was of pertinent importance was the fact that ‘My Name Is Khan’ required a lot of external research. All this while it was about my own world with which I was comfortable but here I was looking at certain perceptions which are a global phenomenon.”

It has been reported that “My Name Is Khan” is picking upon the issues and challenges faced by Muslims globally and aims at addressing them through the medium of cinema.

“Please let me set the record straight that ‘My Name Is Khan’ is not an issue- based film. Instead it’s a human drama about a couple. The film will make you smile and result in tears in your eyes.

“At the end of it all, it’s a human film with emotions that are universal. It’s a film which connects with you. But I’m not taking forward the baton of an issue. Instead I am just using it as a part of the narrative.”

“My Name Is Khan” also stars Soniya Jehan, Jimmy Shergill, Zarina Wahab, Parvin Dabbas, Arif Zakaria, Navneet Nishan, Sheetal Menon, Arjun Mathur and child artist Tanay Chheda seen in “Slumdog Millionaire”.

A co-production of Karan Johar and Gauri Khan, “My Name Is Khan” is being marketed and distributed by Fox Searchlight Pictures.

Karan Johar keen to work with Aishwarya Rai

Mumbai, If grapevine is to be believed, Karan Johar is toying with the idea of finally working with Aishwarya Rai, with whom he hasn’t made a single project in his over decade-long career.
“Karan said that Aishwarya is his ideal heroine and all the scripts that he writes are keeping her in mind. He also said that various reasons have veered them from working together. But he is hoping that it is the right time that he gets her to work in his production sometime soon,” a source, who overheard Karan’s conversation with director Sanjay Leela Bhansali, told IANS on condition of anonymity.
The two filmmakers were discussing Aishwarya at Sonali Bendre’s birthday party Dec 31.
“Sanjay Leela Bhansali was overheard telling Karan Johar that Aishwarya is very original and there is no one like her. He further said that if a director has not worked with her in his or her career, it’s a big loss for them. Sanjay also praised her work in ‘Guzaarish’,” the source said.
Aishwarya has worked with Bhansali in “Hum Dil De Chuke Sanam” and “Devdas” – both of which did well at the box office. Now she is being directed by him in “Guzaarish”, which also features Hrithik Roshan.

Preity Zinta espouses cause of widows, cites Sonia Gandhi

New Delhi, Citing the example of Congress president Sonia Gandhi, Bollywood actress Preity Zinta Wednesday pledged to work for the welfare of widows and said they could achieve a lot if given an opportunity.

Preity, 34, became the brand ambassador of Loomba Trust that supports widows and their children around the world.

“Sonia Gandhi is a perfect example. If a woman is not stolen off her opportunities, even if she is a widow, she can do great things and achieve a lot. This is more than enough reason to say that a woman can stand shoulder to shoulder with any man anywhere in the world,” Preity said at a press conference here.

“I have always held women’s causes in India very close to my heart. I have always felt that women get a raw deal. This cause was a little more close to my heart because I lost my father when I was very young,” said Preity, who lost her father at the age of 13.

“I was lucky to come from a family that was financially stable but I did grow up realising that it was definitely more difficult for a woman. I can identify with this problem very closely,” the actress told reporters.

Preity also revealed that a documentary by filmmaker Deepa Mehta’s brother influenced her and she realised it was important to work for the welfare of widows.

“Deepa Mehta’s brother made a documentary called ‘The Forgotten Woman’. It’s a documentary on widows and what really happens to them. That was the first time I looked at this besides something I had grown up with and that stayed with me,” she said.

“So when I was asked to be a part of this Trust I thought that god has given me more than I can ever imagine and if I can give back, it will make a difference and in whatever way we can to raise awareness we will,” she added.

Bollywood numbers game is too fickle – Priyanka Chopra

Mumbai, Priyanka Chopra was marching towards the top with back-to-back hits “Dostana” and “Fashion” in 2008. Last year her “Kaminey” succeeded and if “What’s Your Raashee?” had worked, she would have certainly come closer to being number one. But the actress refuses to get drawn into the numbers game.

“When a couple of my films would succeed at the box office, then people would start commenting ‘Oh yes, you are at the number one spot’. But one flop later they may end up stating ‘arrey, yeh spot toh thoda hil gaya’,” Priyanka told IANS.

“In fact, sometimes you experience something even worse because the same people may even end up stating that she is gone and there is no future for her…However, one hit later, every statement would be retracted. No one can be really blamed because this entire numbers business is so fickle,” said the actress who has seen quite a few ups and downs in her career.

Was this why she didn’t worry much while signing a relatively smaller film like “Pyaar Impossible”? Though she claims it was the film’s script that made her sign, she admits that big banners like Yash Raj Films have their relevance.

“Yes, one can’t deny the relevance of big banners. However, a fact that also cannot be denied is that sometimes even big films don’t work. I have first-hand experience in that because there have been some really big films that I wasn’t convinced about and hence had to decline them,” Priyanka said.

Unwilling to divulge the names of these films, she does reveal though that most of these films didn’t work at the box office.

“This is what further convinced me that I had taken the right decisions,” she said.

“On the other hand I have also done small films out of sheer gut instinct and they went on to be very good successes. So, you know, one can’t really be sure about this industry which is anyway so unpredictable,” the former beauty queen added.

“Pyaar Impossible” also starred Uday Chopra. Directed by Jugal Hansraj, the romantic comedy shows how fate brings Uday, a complete geek, and Priyanka, a beauty, together and love blooms amidst all odds.

Describing her fundamentals about working in films, she said: “It’s best not to do any prior calculations and instead just step into doing something where your instinct drives you. This is why I concentrate completely on my work.”

“As long as people say that I am a decently good actor and a very fine professional, I can say that I am at a happy place. I would be quite worried if they start saying anything to the contrary,” added Priyanka, who has worked in around 30 films during the last six and a half years in Bollywood.

Priyanka will next be seen in Siddharth Anand’s “Anjaana Anjaani” with Ranbir Kapoor. After that, she will begin work on Vishal Bharadwaj’s yet untitled film.