Why sons and daughters not a hit in film

When Abhishek Bachchan had married Aishwarya Rai there was a salivating anticipation among the media planners that the whole family would be a huge brand and there was a great synergy in using them in combination for promoting a brand. However no campaign has been rolled so far, in which even the couples have been featured together, what to talk about the family as a whole.

It indeed is an interesting value proposition that the film star families, where both husband and wives are celebrities are not featured in an ad on a regular basis, though it happens in sports on a regular basis. Could it be owing to the fact that when in a family of sports star appears in a campaign as he is the sole celebrity the campaign uses him or her as the foci and builds up the copy around him, while this maxim is difficult nay impossible to operate in case of film stars as one cannot be excluded at the cost of the other for promoting a brand.

Could this also be the reason that we see a Hema Malini being featured along with Esha and Aahana in an ad campaign as the quotient of halo around Hema Malini is of a higher magnitude when compared with Esha and Aahana. Is it also the same reason that Sharmila Tagore appeared in ad with Soha Ali but has not featured with Saif Ali Khan in a campaign so far?

The celebrity couples are in large numbers but they seldom appear together in a campaign. Amitabh Bachchan for record had appeared with Abhishek Bachchan in a campaign for Maruti Versa but after that there was no follow up. Ajay Devgun had also appeared along with Kajol in few ads but now it is Kajol who is going solo, while Ajay has dropped out.

Is it owing to the fact that the campaign designers still see each of the stars as individual entities and do not go into account the metamorphosis that has undergone into their relationships or do not try to change the relationship in the mind of the consumers through designing a campaign in such a manner. LG who has Abhishek Bachchan as the brand manager tried to do it once, but did not follow it up.

Advertisement after all, is innovation so why not innovate. A beginning could be made with DRONA where Abhishek Bachchan and Jaya Bachchan are appearing together and an ad campaign could be built around it. Or for that matter in the next series of “What an Idea Campaign', Big B could be roped in. Possibilities are endless, only deconstruction in the approach is required.
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SORRY BHAI is a happy film - Onir

''MY BROTHER NIKHIL and BAS EK PAL formed a certain perception about me amongst audience as well as media. I hope it changes with the release of SORRY BHAI'', smiles Onir who has now taken a light hearted route after his earlier attempts that mainly explored dark themes.

'''Dark theme' – I guess this tag attached to me would break with SORRY BHAI'', laughs Onir who got quite some critical acclaim for MY BROTHER NIKHIL and to an extent BAS EK PAL. However, box office success evades him.

''I am sure SORRY BHAI would certainly do the trick'', says Onir whose film stars Sanjay Suri, Sharman Joshi and Chitrangada Singh in a love triangle, ''It is being presented by Vashu Bhagnani. Now from the man who has made quite a few entertainers over the years, you don't expect a serious film coming out, isn't it?''

The film is currently in its post production phase and is eyeing an early 2009 release. Meanwhile Onir continues to have fond memories about his Mauritus shoot which concluded a few months back.

''Working with Shabana Azmi was a dream come true while Boman Irani was one of us youngsters out here. We all became kids; I guess it was the beach affect'', recollects Onir, ''In fact I remember that there was this scene in the film where Sharman is required to step into the sea and play saxophone. Once I called 'cut', it was irresistible for me not to enter into the sea myself. I spent quite some time fooling around the beach even though pack up was announced.''

SORRY BHAI is a relationship based light hearted entertainer which sees two brothers (Sanjay Suri, Sharman Joshi) who fall in love with the same woman (Chitrangada).
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Kajol in RAB NE BANA DI JODI?

It's a known fact that Kajol has been SRK's lucky mascot ever since the duo shared the screen space in BAAZIGAR (way back in 90's). Whenever this hit jodi of Bollywood came together the film worked wonders at Box–office. Audiences adore seeing their blazing chemistry on–screen even if it is for few seconds. And that is the reason SRK prefers to have Kajol's presence (even in cameos/special appearances) in his movies.

Last she was seen in SRK's home production OM SHANTI OM (but in a special appearance) which again turned a massive hit.

Now that SRK's one more esteemed project RAB NE BANA DI JODI, which is being directed Aditya Chopra and stars newcomer Anuskha Sharma opposite King Khan, is impending. SRK has once again roped in his dear friend and lucky charm Kajol for RAB NE BANA DI JODI. No the bubbly actress is not paired with SRK but only doing a song in the film. If the reports are to be believed than it was none other than ace filmmaker Aditya Chopra's idea to have Kajol's presence in the film.

Reportedly, the song will be shot in Mumbai. And Kajol will appear in one of the verses of a song filmed on Shah Rukh and newcomer Anushka Sharma. The setting of the song will be a Punjabi folk event, and Kajol will appear for few seconds before the song ends.

So all those diehard SRK–Kajol fans can enjoy the glimpse of the jodi once again!

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Soha Ali Khan recently hinted in all her interviews at all being well in her love life but we have found out her claims don't exactly hold true under

Vishesh Films had only one release to its name in 2008 – JANNAT – but this one project was good enough to keep them smiling for the rest of the year. A super hit venture for Mukesh Bhatt, Emraan Hashmi and Kunal Deshmukh, JANNAT announced loud and clear that Bhatts are there to stay regardless of countless corporate houses looking at taking over Bollywood in entirety.

Work started soon on RAAZ – THE MYSTERY CONTINUES and though principal shooting of this yet another Bhatts–Hashmi–Mohit Suri venture is complete, next few months would be dedicated on incorporating world class special effects in the film.

Recently there was news around RAAZ – THE MYSTERY CONTINUES arriving in the month of January in spite of biggies like CHANDNI CHOWK TO CHINA (confirmed for 16th January), BILLO BARBER and VICTORY eyeing for a release in the same month. To make matters further interesting, DILLI 6 and SHORTKUT too have seemingly confirmed plans for 23rd January, the same date on which Bhatts are sure about bringing their horror flick.

"Yes, the film is certainly coming on 23rd January, come what may", announced Mukesh Bhatt, "No ways are we going to move around the release date since we have locked 23rd January after much deliberation."

But how about the massive competition round the corner? Also, DILLI 6 and SHORTKUT are no pushovers with CHANDNI CHOWK TO CHINA being one movie which would have audience rushing for it even in the second weekend.

"If you look at the way release dates are juggled around today, there is no guarantee if for any movie, the announced date is confirmed or not", reasons Mukesh Bhatt, "In that scenario, we can't play a wait and watch game. We have our own promotional strategy in place and for that we are required to lock in a particular date. 23rd January is confirmed, period!"
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All is not well in Soha and Siddharth's love life

Soha Ali Khan recently hinted in all her interviews at all being well in her love life but we have found out her claims don't exactly hold true under the latest developed circumstances.

The love birds Soha and Siddharth have been fighting yet again of late.

Our source close to Soha revealed, "Siddharth is a very busy star down South. He is settled in Chennai but has to constantly keep shuffling between Chennai - Hyderabad and Mumbai thanks to his shooting commitments.

Though he is a Tamilian he hardly acts in Tamil films and is extremely popular and busy doing Telugu films post the stupendous success of his romantic comedy, Bommarilu.

What irks Soha is that since he is not doing anything much in Chennai why doesn't he leave the port city for good and settle in Mumbai itself along with her and keep shuffling between Mumbai - Hyderabad. Siddharth was in Mumbai last week and stayed as usual in Soha's flat for a few days.

This time they both had heated arguments over this matter. While Soha kept persisting, Siddharth was not interested in moving in to Mumbai at all.

The arguments reached such a point that he left Mumbai a day early than he had scheduled."

"Siddharth's career despite a rocking debut in Rang De Basanti has not really picked up in Mumbai. He was promised many big films but none fell in his lap. Even mentor Rakeysh Omprakash Mehra ditched him at the last minute for Dilli 6.

Its been more than a 2 and a half years since Rang De released.

With no film released yet since then, Siddharth is in a mood to wrap the projects in hand in Bollywood and settle in Chennai for good. Soha is completely against this.

Everytime its been Soha who has taken the initiative for a patch up after they both have fought. It looks hard this time that she will make the first move." the source added.
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Gracy's fall from grace

Name Gracy Singh doesn't need any introduction. She is the same girl who was made a household name by Aamir Khan once he launched her as a leading lady in LAGAAN. Though she had done bit roles in films like HU TU TU and HUM AAPKE DIL MEIN REHTE HAIN, it was LAGAAN which did the trick for her.

Soon she was called the lucky mascot for her films as she featured in GANGAAJAL and MUNNABHAI MBBS. Both the films were critical as well as mass success and though an occasional ARMAAN did prove to be a chink in her armor, it was best forgotten since her other films were working.

However, a flurry of bad choices followed with each of her subsequent films ranging from MUSKAAN, SHART to WAJAHH and YEHI HAI ZINDAGI turning out to be box office disasters. It was shocking to see the kind of film selection that Gracy was making and it didn't surprise when her subsequent films like CHANCHAL and CHOORIYAN found themselves stuck in the cans.

If this wasn't enough, her further fall from grace has been an appearance in soon to be released DESHDROHI which hardly seems to be a project that she would be proud to be associated with. Seemingly a jingoistic tale with Kamal Rashid Khan appearing as actor, producer, story, screenplay as well as dialogue writer, DESH DROHI is primarily an action tale which truly seems to be a misfit in the current scheme of Bollywood.

Directed by Jagdish Sharma, DESH DROHI was recently in news for the controversy centering on non–payment of dues to Rozza Catalano for her item number. Also starring Ravi Kishan, Manoj Tiwari and Hrishita Bhatt, the film is now getting ready for release.
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KIDNAP was my birthday gift : Vidya

How Vidya Malavade got signed for the keenly anticipated Idd 2008 release!

From Shah Rukh Khan to Sanjay Dutt – the CHAK DEY INDIA captain, Vidya Malavade, has now been cast opposite Sanjay Dutt in the much talked about KIDNAP

Revealing how she bagged the role, she smiles, 'I had a phone call on my birthday in March last year. It was from Sanjay (Gadhvi), the director of KIDNAP, asking me if I wanted to play Sanjay Dutt's romantic interest in the film. I read the script and absolutely loved it. I knew I had to do it and agreed almost immediately. I look at KIDNAP as a wonderful birthday present.' Adds Vidya, 'I trust Sanjay (Gadhvi) blindly. I've known him for a long time. In fact, he's one of the first few people I met on entering the industry, the other being Ken Ghosh. I'm really proud of KIDNAP.'

Elaborating on the film, she remarks, 'It's an engaging edge–of–the–seat drama, which everyone will enjoy. The response to the promos has been fantastic and I can't wait for it to release. It's SD's (Sanjay Dutt) first release of 2008 and Imran's first after JAANE TU YA JAANE NA. Thankfully, I will be in Japan on an assignment till the release of the film so that will quell my nervousness and anxiety to some degree!'

Ask Vidya about the difference between Shah Rukh Khan and Sanjay Dutt, she laughs, 'Shah Rukh is full of energy and life. SD is more reserved and chilled out. Beneath the deadly Dutt there is a soft and tame being. I call him a gentle giant. I absolutely admire him and enjoyed working with him in KIDNAP. We've even got a brilliant song together, sung by Adnan Sami – it's called Haanji. Check it out!'

Released by Indian Films – Studio 18 worldwide, KIDNAP will be out in cinemas on Idd, Wednesday, 1st October, 2008.
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We all know what Sanjay has done to his ladies

When Minissha Lamba was told that she would have to wear a bikini for a key sequence in 'Kidnap', she didn't blink an eyelid. Instead, she pronto started making plans of how to develop the kind of body with which she could carry off her new look in a dare bare attire.

"When Sanjay Gadhvi (director of 'Kidnap') came to me with the film, he was clear about one thing - he wanted to completely change my look and make me go through a transition. He asked me whether I was game for it but honestly, I didn't have any reason not to be a part of it."

Didn't she require any convincing whatsoever?

"Not at all", replies Minissha promptly, "We all know what he has done to his ladies in 'Dhoom' and 'Dhoom 2'. All his actresses have looked fabulous on screen whenever they have gone through an image transformation. He is fantastic at that and for me, it was just a matter of putting myself into the grind and completely focus on the change. It was a matter of going through the perception shift."

Her new look appears to be attracting quite some fan following for her.

"And I must say thanks to Sanjay for this", acknowledges Minissha, "Frankly, if not for him, it wouldn't have been an easy task to go through the entire emotional and physical grind. I had to push myself and do something which I myself never though I could. Thankfully, I did manage to pull it off and in the process even surprised myself. It was Sanjay's vision and I am glad that I followed it with conviction. Results are there to be seen."

'Kidnap' was earlier supposed to be released a couple of months back. Any regrets about the delay?

"It is not a big delay per se in any case", defends Minissha, "It is okay if a film comes two or three months after the planned date. It happens in the industry. I for sure know that this is the best time for the film to arrive. The promotion is going ahead with full vigor and I am excited about 2nd October, the D-day for the film's arrival."
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