Now Devgan in Special Chabbis (earlier post updated)
LINK
After working with legendary actors like Anupam Kher and Naseerruddin Shah, director Neeraj Pandey, of A Wednesday fame, is all set to roll his next project, Special Chabbis. The film is based on an incident when twenty six men, posing as Income Tax officials, carried out a mock raid on a leading jewellery store in Mumbai and seized jewellery worth millions, never to return. A source revealed, “Ajay Devgn will play the main protagonist in the film.
There are several other actors to be taken onboard. Ajay heard the script and at once gave it a green signal. Currently, they are just working out the dates and the film will go on floors early next year.”
Apparently Ajay wasn’t the first choice. The source added, “Apart form Ajay there will be an ensemble cast, which is still being worked upon. Initially, Ajay’s role was offered to Abhishek Bachchan but things did not work out between Neeraj and him. Neeraj has always admired Ajay as an actor and he was certainly his next option.”
Both Ajay and Neeraj remained unavailable for comment.
thanks to Kassam..
LINK
A Wednesday director Neeraj Pandey who is making Special Chabbis based on the notorious 1987 heist at Tribhovandas Bhimji Zaveri jewellery store at Opera House, has signed Abhishek Bachchan to play the lead role. Abhishek will play the man who booked a room in a posh Mumbai hotel as Mohan Singh and proceeded to commit the most daring daylight robbery in the city.
Singh recruited 26 conmen, who posed as income tax officers, and raided the Opera House branch of TBZ and walked away with jewellery worth lakhs.
According to sources, Neeraj finalised Abhishek for the role because he is from Uttar Pradesh. Although no one knows if Mohan Singh was the main conman’s real name, he apparently hailed from UP and was in his mid-30s. Abhishek was an obvious choice as he too has a UP lineage and belongs to the same age group. Abhishek loved Neeraj’s A Wednesday and was happy to be part of Special Chabbis.
Since the role is based on a real life character, Abhishek needs to prepare for his role in terms of speech and body language.
Neeraj confirmed the news and said, “I can’t deny that Abhishek is on board but I want to get some other key members of the cast in place before I make a formal announcement. The film requires 26 actors and I want to make sure all of them are just right for their part. I will start the project in mid-2010. Before that I am producing a film titled 3 Large 1 Small under my banner Friday Filmworks. It’s the story of a somewhat young man who looks back on his life. I’m currently hunting for a director and a main lead.”
Meanwhile, there’s bad news for those waiting for Neeraj to start the prequel to A Wednesday. After the Tamil remake of A Wednesday (Unnaipol Oruvan), Neeraj has decided to shelve the earlier planned prequel.
“I’ve to admit the remake (Unnaipol Oruvan) makes my plans to make a prequel to A Wednesday redundant now. I think we need to move on from A Wednesday. That’s what Special Chabbis gives me a chance to do,” said Neeraj.
November 8, 2009 at 4:48 PM
Now this is an interesting project… he’s also doing the right kinds of ‘strong’ roles.
November 8, 2009 at 4:58 PM
This is exciting, I hope it is true — much happier to see this sorta thing than any Bourne-style remake. The Pandey and Rohan Sippy roles sound very cool.
November 8, 2009 at 5:14 PM
absolutely.. and with his current line up I think he’s addressing at least one criticism that I always have — you have to please some segment of your audience with your role as a commercial actor or else you have to do the sort of really meaningful film where such considerations might be suspended. There’s very little I’d argue with in the current line up he has. I wouldn’t have recommended Bourne but looking at his other stuff a safer commercial, slick deal isn’t perhaps a bad idea though I would have been happier with a more tested director. But from the director of A Wednesday (who managed to keep that story gripping whatever else one might think of the film) this subject is particularly welcome as he’s sticking to hus strength. And again a ‘strong’ role here to go with the Rohan film, the Gowariker one and especially Rathnam’s next. You then throw in Dostana 2 as a commercial ‘filler’, perhaps the same for Bourne (if Deo is really worth something maybe a surprise here), he has Paa up for release. There are other rumored projects in the offing. But in terms of doing a certain kind of character I think he’s making the right choices and again nothing here with the exception of Paa (which again looks fine to me after the previews) is wildly risky on paper. Really pleased about this development.
November 8, 2009 at 5:27 PM
Bang on analysis. Abhishek must have recently signed up for this movie since he only mentioned this movie in his recent HT interview and now SKJ ( and Neeraj) have affirmed it this new article. If Abhishek intends to do movies like Paa, Ravan, Khelein Hum Jee Jaan Sey, Special Chabbis , Rohan Sippy’s movie, etc. Then Abhishek has to also do commercial movies like Dostana 2, Crooked, Anees Bazmee movie, and Abbas-Mustan movie to offset that balance with more mainstream fare(action, comedy) to keep all of his audience satisfied.
Commercial movies aid actors in building a broader and larger audience. And also aids them in hopefully having some successful movies that have mass appeal. At this point I can easily say that I’m interested in all of Abhishek’s upcoming movies. Dostana 2 is the only one I’m a wee iffy on. But the rest of his line up stokes my interest. Abhishek is mixing it up well with commercial movies and some worthy(riskier) movies as well.
November 8, 2009 at 5:15 PM
The Neeraj Pandey film was mentioned in the interview earlier today and that was the first time I’d heard of it but this is confirmed here by Jha.
November 8, 2009 at 5:15 PM
I concur that this movie sounds vastly interesting with a true to life reference point that has a weighty and worthy role for Abhishek to essay. This movie sounds like its in the drama-thriller genre. This movie is to go on floors mid 2010. I indeed hope it stays on course and comes to fruition for Abhishek next year. Good move on his part to sign up for this movie with a new and talented director. Abhishek is mixing it up well with his choice of movies.
November 8, 2009 at 5:32 PM
Like I said in the earlier piece that broke the news , it’s superb news as it looks like it’s been confirmed now . I’m really happy with the type of films he’s picking up now . You just get the feeling he’s getting braver with his choices and more confident in his ability to pull off roles and characters he would have doubted himself in even two years ago . The films he’s doing now are the type of films that make a talented actor an accomplished actor . By not playing safe his development will be speeded up far quicker than by doing the standard fares . Not happy about Dostana2 but when you think about Ravaana , KHJJS and now Special Chabbis . It’s a very impressive batch of films .
November 8, 2009 at 5:59 PM
KHJJS presents an interesting opportunity for Abhishek, but it’s also the hardest sell among the above mentioned lineup, as I see it. One of the great problems with Gowariker’s languorous filmmaking style (other than the fact that it’s languorous!) is that the lead actors he’s worked with (except for maybe Aamir, but then Lagaan is the exception in every sense) are not suited to “energize” the slow-burning narrative. With Abhishek he finally has a leading man who I think actually solves this problem. This is probably more of a personal preference since I’d generally rather see Abhishek perform over SRK or Hrithik, but where Abhishek scores over both of these guys, as I see it, is the fact that while they are clearly “truer” stars who squeezed into the actor slot for the Gowariker kind of film, Abhishek is a star-ACTOR for whom the “character role” is not mutually exclusive to a starring, lead role. I think he’d be an easier fit, and a more welcome watch.
November 8, 2009 at 7:37 PM
You make an interesting set of points. However I do see certain risk with the Gowariker/Abhishek tie up. I agree with you inasmuch as Abhishek the ‘actor’ is a better fit for Gowariker’s universe than the other two you’ve referenced. However where Abhishek brings more of the ‘actor’ to add to the authenticity of the Gowariker universe he can also (if he and the director are not careful) make the film seem slower which is not a critical problem but certainly a box office one. I do agree Gowariker’s scripts needs to be energized. But it requires a star-actor who can be both ‘quick’ and ‘true’. My fear is that Abhishek sees these as contradictory qualities beyond a point. He’s either willing to be quick in Dostana or slow in D6 to mention two extremes. But in any serious sort of film he’s not likely to choose the former option. Unless the director explicity requires it as Rathnam has for example. Gowariker though won’t! Gowariker making a political thriller is in any case a somewhat odd idea (!). Having said that you nonetheless have a point. To the extent that a star is ‘squeezed’ into a Gowariker film a measure of genuineness is taken away which cannot be made up with quickness alone.
On a related note they should change that title right away and go in for Chittagong Uprising.
November 8, 2009 at 8:11 PM
The title sucks.
November 8, 2009 at 7:43 PM
I think for the first time there’s a sense of ‘narrative’ to his lineup. Strong roles in ‘dramas’ (for want of a better term) and then fillers like Dostana 2 or Bourne (though even here the lead is always what the film is about). The one I am unhappy about if the rumor is indeed true is the Abbas-Mustaan Italian Job remake because here we just might be looking at a Race kind of deal. If Abhishek has to go in for easy box office returns the Bazmee (also rumored) would be a much better idea. Then of course there have been rumors of the Agneepath remake which if true would also match this current ‘narrative’. I wonder now if Mehra’s film is being compromised for some of these films. Mirza Sahibaan, a period love story, is hardly a safe bet. Mehra has mysteriously suggested that he might not have the same starcast (Abhishek-Sonam) he initially had in mind. So I wonder if something’s up though of course he hasn’t completely confirmed this script either. But even with the dubious box office prospects of such a subject I would err on the side of doing this than not (and I think Abhishek probably would as well) because Mehra is ultimately a worthwhile director and I would like to see the abhishek-Sonam pair explored a bit more (saw some real potential in D6 that was regrettably under-used in that film). You add a Rahman soundtrack and it’s something to look forward to. The other one that I regret (because I doubt it will happen with them without Rahman) is the Rajiv menon film because for that sort of subject and with a Rahman soundtrack it would have been interesting.
November 8, 2009 at 8:59 PM
I also felt that Abhishek-Sonam have copesetic chemistry in Delhi 6 that will hopefully be explored more in a future movie. Mehra might still indeed do Mirza Sahibaan with Abhishek-Sonam as the lead pair. Mehra said he had 5 scripts ready. He could do another movie in the meant time. And then do Mirza Sahibaan when Abhishek-Sonam have the dates required to make the movie. We have to see how it goes.
November 8, 2009 at 6:33 PM
This sounds fucking cool!!! YES!
November 8, 2009 at 6:34 PM
With PAA, RAAVAN, Sippys next, Gowariker’s next and now this….what a frigging lineup!
November 8, 2009 at 8:49 PM
Here is an earlier article about this movie. Obviously the start date has been changed until next year to accommodate Abhishek’s hectic schedule. But the is interesting and talks a bit more about the movie. And it proves this movie has been on the cards for while. Now that Abhishek has been cast. It will be interesting to see how the rest of the cast shapes up.
After A Wednesday, a heist!
http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/After-A-Wednesday-a-heist/articleshow/4931280.cms
November 8, 2009 at 9:02 PM
hadn’t seen this earlier..
November 9, 2009 at 1:00 AM
The project sounds interesting for sure…I am a fan of robbery and thriller genre..
November 9, 2009 at 1:39 AM
I didn’t like Neeraj Pandey’s Wednesday at all actually. Overrated I thought. Mentioned it in my review on NG too. Again, like Balki, not subtle at all.
November 9, 2009 at 2:20 AM
The poor guy didn’t make a ‘silly’ film!
November 9, 2009 at 1:43 AM
Ashu’s on a low after What’s Your Rashee and in any case, he’s becomming more and more languorous. Abhishek is good in intense parts, but he’s never known to be a very energetic actor. So I hope it doesn’t turn out to snooze fest.
Paa looks interesting, for Amitabh.
Neeraj Pandey I don’t like from his first film. So not looking forward.
The only good film I think will be Ravana. I’m looking forward to seeing Vikram and Ash also.
November 9, 2009 at 2:00 AM
perhaps Deepika can provide some energy!
November 9, 2009 at 2:30 AM
Once upon a time there was this Sandy…
Sandy on Guru:
“This is precisely what makes Guru special. As a whole, the film suffers on several important counts but what makes this film tick is a bravura performance by Abhishek Bachchan that grips you by the heart.”
“Now, for the heart and soul of this film – Abhishek Bachchan. Move over Hrithik Roshan. Our Krrish can look like a Greek god and fly across skyscrapers but I doubt anyone can deliver just a real, straight-from-the-heart, superlative performance. Really, Guru belongs to one man only and he makes sure(just like in the film) that Mani’s vision never crumbles. (it could have)”
Sandy on JBJ:
“Abhishek Bachchan’s Bunty takes a bratty, self-assured turn here and one has to say, his ‘lovable lafanga’ act is one of the best you’ll get to see. Success has truly done wonders to this actor and whatever the fate of this film, this is a performance that stands out for sheer command of craft.”
also the Sandy who liked UJ! One wonders what Abhishek has done to disappoint you that much! Most people who dislike Abhishek that much or have serious problems with him are not those who adored him in JBJ!
November 9, 2009 at 4:40 AM
CROOKED, Abhimaan Remake. Anees Bazmee’s film, Raavan, Paa, Ashu’s Next and now this…..it’s one helluva line-up! On A WEDNESDAY, one of the best films of 08 imo…
November 9, 2009 at 9:35 AM
as I mentioned in this thread I personally don’t think the Abhimaan remake is on anymore now that Rahman’s left the project. Not sure about the Bazmee either in the sense that it hasn’t been confirmed.
November 9, 2009 at 3:26 AM
Think Sandy’s big turn off was Drona and I think Abhishek would need tp prove himself consistently again to win her over again . A sentiment I find understandable as considering the way he spoke about Drona you would think it was going to be a landmark film . If I’m honest , he hasn’t excited me as an actor since both Guru and JBJ even though I thought his perfomance in D6 was okay but well within his range .
November 9, 2009 at 4:41 AM
DRONA sucked….and Abhishek was pathetic here…
November 9, 2009 at 9:37 AM
“Think Sandy’s big turn off was Drona and I think Abhishek would need tp prove himself consistently again to win her over again .”
Don’t think so! Though I won’t re-open this debate again!
November 9, 2009 at 8:15 AM
“Once upon a time there was this Sandy…”
Once upon a time there was this Abhishek as well. Since then he has given us gems like Grona, Laga Career Pe Daag, Delhi Chee and yet someone wants to know why i am disappointed.
BTW, I’m impressed with your scavenging abilities to hunt out my comments. You wonder what Abhisehk has done to disappoint me that much, but I wonder what Abhishek has done for you to bookmark all such positive comments on him. Are they so hard to come by?
November 9, 2009 at 9:30 AM
I just remember what you’d said in earlier years. In this technological age we live in it’s not so hard to find an older review! Your first paragraph here says it all! But then not everyone can do good ‘silly’ films! As for whether the comments are hard to come by oh I don’t know.. with all the interesting directors who keep casting him I find them every week!
November 9, 2009 at 8:19 AM
Laga Career Pe Daag…? Is he the main lead?
You’ve forgotten to add ‘Mission Istanbul’
November 9, 2009 at 8:23 AM
When she’s good, she’s very good,
when she’s bad, sandy’s better!
November 9, 2009 at 8:54 AM
oops, how could i forget Sarka(r) Dard! That too!
Anyway, I won’t be commenting on Abhishek on this thread. Waste of time IMO. He’s a good actor, but bhaiyya, kuch kare toh sahi pehle!
November 9, 2009 at 9:18 AM
Have to say I’m with Sandy and Aramak on this one. Abhishek has blown most of the excitement and promise I felt for him after Yuva/Guru/Sarkar with his last few outings. His lineup sounds promising, but then so did Sarkar Raj, Drona and Delhi-6 at one point. He’s really got to pull something out of the hat- hope Raavan does that for him.
November 9, 2009 at 9:32 AM
That’s a fair point, CG. I do agree that recent failures (and I’m not talking of BO here) take some of the sheen off of things, but I also think this kind of failure does not suddenly efface past successes – especially when we’re talking about a “past” as recent as 2004-2007. It’s fair to say he’s let his audience down in the past couple years, but as I see it, it’s equally fair to expect good things to come down the pipe.
November 9, 2009 at 9:48 AM
I will agree with CG inasmuch as there was a moment generated in ’05 that then got dissipated because of some of his decisions and at the end of the day commercial stars do need this factor. At the same time I agree with you but I would even go beyond this — because of his volume and because he has done more that has disappointed perhaps at one level or the other than not the reaction in this sense is understandable. At the same time there hasn’t been that sort of time lag either. Guru was Jan ’07. JBJ was June. Now most people wouldn’t really include the latter among films that excited them but dostana probably would be and this was Nov ’08. It definitely is the more significant film compared to JBJ. This year it’s Paa. But yes momentum was certainly lost through all of this because this comes about either with a string of successes or with a combination of this and critical acclaim. The upcoming lineup though is probably his most promising one so far. I also think that purely in terms of attracting the right projects he seems to be doing better today than even after Guru! In any case I do see where CG is coming from, I of course agree with your point. finally I also believe that in general there is often a degree of ‘politics’ afoot when his failures are magnified far more than anyone else’s.
November 9, 2009 at 9:39 AM
fair enough CG.. I don’t have an argument with you or Aramak…
November 9, 2009 at 11:01 AM
Just today saw Paa’s trailer(i couldn’t watch it from youtube since it is banned from my place).Must say the most impressive trailer since D6.Going by the first look Bachchan seems to have the meatier role here for sure.Even though not much of a balki fan but now its in my theatre watch list.Expect Bachchan duo,Sriram and Raja in full form here(the theme in trailer is quite impressive i must say) .
On another note has anyone read Coetzee’s ‘Summertime’?
November 9, 2009 at 12:06 PM
Haven’t read that Coetzee yet but I also haven’t read any of his autobiographical stuff so far.
On Paa the amusing thing here is that Abhishek is actually the ‘Paa’ of the title! They have equal footage in the film but as is obvious the real deal here is Bachchan with that new look and so forth. Of course there is a paradox at the heart of this film which can only be ‘solved’ by reference to the diegetic/non-diegetic couple I obsessively rely on with the Bachchans. Abhishek has the title role but there is a clear reference to the fact that Abhishek calls his own father Paa and which is what inspired the title. The ‘inversion’ is not without symbolic weight either as Abhishek playing his father’s father is not a ‘casual’ gesture. But there is the other side to this. Bachchan in this film will not be accessible as Bachchan because he will neither look like himself nor indulge in any measure of gesturality that reminds us of his history. Now this is a rather fascinating move on its own (weirdly ties in with a certain post-Mohabbatein logic where Bachchan has turned his back on his entire history in unique fashion for a star of that magnitude) because here’s a star who totally and completely effaces everything that makes him the star he is. But it also introduces that paradox. If you have father and son in a film and it is being sold as this ultimate father son tale what does it mean when the father (son) doesn’t resemble the son (father) at all?! In other words it could be anyone under those prosthetics. If the argument is that you nonetheless need a fine actor to pull it off why not Naseer?! Because this whole structure (as in Sarkar, as in some of the other stuff, on and off screen) relies on the ‘biographical’. We ‘know’ that it’s Bachchan under all that makeup. In another sense Bachchan here is a kind of ‘virtual’ construct, or an image that has to be constructed in the mind based on the history. everytime we see Auro we make that mental check. Of course Balki has been wise here to simply present Auro as basically a character-actor in his own right. Amitabh Bachchan has been effaced in many ways even in the advertising and I noted with some interest the other day that Bachchan did not show up for the launch. I don’t know if this continues but I have the sense that they don’t want any living memory of Amitabh Bachchan to short circuit access to Auro! It’s a very weird but also for this reason fascinating circumstance. The biographical is in any case crucial. I would risk a further insight here. Bachchan as the ‘monstrous’ here (which incidentally makes the film much more like a fairy tale.. a lovable giant and so forth.. as I suggested earlier) is also another return of the ‘repressed’ as surely as Abhishek is the normative reference for this structure in today’s Bollywood. One of the problems with Bachchan in so many years has been precisely his institutionalization and therefore his inability to provide us with that ‘jolt’. The inability to be authentic in a way that shakes us. That has been the ultimate meaning of his history and this is what he did to audience in his peak years. That Bachchan now returns as this monstrous that is completely unrecognizable in a literal sense is fitting for an industry that for all its continuing consumption of Bachchan and his history has no real link (if at all) with the true charge of his past oeuvre. Barring again Abhishek (even if the only director who’s truly understood all of this in the deepest sense is the outside — Rathnam.. I will say that based on some anecdotal info figures in the South are far more aware of this than anyone in Bollywood but this shouldn’t come as a surprise for more reasons than one) which is why he remains in so many different ways the ‘question’ today (the anti-Abhishek gestures in the media and the blogs testify to this most immediately.. note how this crowd is not really celebrating what looks to be a very promising film in Paa despite the fact that one could easily point to Bachchan and suggest he’s the only thing that matters here.. this crowd intuits something here!). all of this at any rate is fraught with symbolic potency..
November 9, 2009 at 12:22 PM
We have to appreciate Balki for coming up with this idea. The reason for this film to work is not only Amitabh’s look, reversing the real life Father-son linking with progeria.
November 9, 2009 at 12:38 PM
yes absolutely… the whole progeria deal had to be invented to make Bachchan Abhishek’s son. There was no way around it other than to rely on a fantasy structure. And this inversion is what Balki started out with. And even with the advertising centering around Bachchan (even if it were equal his look would suck up all the oxygen in terms of the viewer’s attention.. though Bachchan’s biggest openings have been with Abhishek in every single instance in recent years) the fact that there is a father-son deal here can scarcely be missed by anyone. Also think that the Abhishek-Vidya Balan couple and that love story bit of it with that song video and so on it important for younger segments.
November 9, 2009 at 11:10 AM
This is exciting. Abhishek could benefit from at least a couple of these films.
The thing about him is he’s always held promise – venturing into newer genre, unchartered territory all the time. Every year his diary has been looking better not worse. He’s 33, it’s a solid layering groundwork for the final assault!
Films like Sarkar Raj, Delhi-6 should have been significant at the BO. Yes, he has more often than not underdelivered. However, right now he’s the single most exciting actor in Bollywood – that includes his dad!
November 9, 2009 at 11:57 AM
i think hrithik roshan also does exciting work like jodhaa akbar nd say a film like kites…ofcourse abhi takes a lot more risks..but i have never seen anyone here talking abt..hrithik..i think hrithik is also a guy 2 look forward to..his work is exciting too!!!!
November 9, 2009 at 12:26 PM
The reason it’s hard to say too much about Hrithik is because he does so little! But I will say this — it’s a little absurd to see Ranbir get the sorts of reviews for Ajab prem that hrithik never got for JA (despite being praised a lot for it). Now I’d say that Ranbir is better than Hrithik as an actor but not even the world’s greatest thespian could be as impressive in an outing like Ajab Prem.. as the reviewers pretend Ranbir is. But also there’s been this narrative on him prior to a single release which should make one a little suspicious. Again I’d take Ranbir over hrithik but I’d take Hrithik in totality on his best days over anything I’ve seen from Ranbir so far. In this sense JA over any Ranbir venture out there (though I haven’t seen WUS or Ajab Prem I also don’t expect to discover Olivier at the other end when I do) in terms of the ‘effect’ the lead stars have (and incidentally I have only liked Hrithik in JA after his first film so I am not a fan in that sense).
But even if one thinks great things of Ranbir one should be careful of this media coverage. It might spoil him early. because you start playing to the galleries a little too soon. I have never seen a star other than Bachchan in Bombay cinema who could be that impressive even in a nothing film and even here one wouldn’t want to compare these moments to his own greater ones as actor.
Ranbir is a talented guy. we might even be looking at a massive grosser here if current trends hold up for this film. But the media coverage is simply insane. If he is really smart he will walk away from these genres as soon as possible. yes you have to do this at your peak! Ultimately you also have to convince the real prestige directors that you can be relied on as a matter of course. Otherwise we’ve seen with SRK or Hrithik how prestige projects do not necessarily the box office trail. And that’s where the game currently is in Bollywood. Certainly some combo of the box office and the critical. Now Ranbir is young but no one is that young or that ‘new’ in contemporary Bollywood. He already has a number of high profile films. He’s had all the exposure in the world and so forth. The more he does this stuff the harder it gets to move out of the slot. Rocket Singh should be very successful too though I’d be surprised if it replicated the Ajab Prem numbers (WUS after grossing only as much as Rock On didn’t suddenly changed the world! clearly Ajab prem caught on for the overall package). Nonethess this film is a big moment for Ranbir and one cannot argue against it. One would only caution him into not reading too much into a film and a genre that have been rewarded before by multiplexes. In general 35-40 crore openings from LAK to Race to Akshay’s comedies to Golmaal are not that uncommon in Bollywood anymore. The rule is that there is no rule! Today it isn’t only the topmost stars who can pull in these numbers but many stars in the right package. The only way you break out is by either replicating this sort of deal in the same genre (as Akshay did for a while) in a compressed period of time or by doing so in relatively unique films. The pure hype game is lost as soon as its won and with Ranbir there is definitely a whole political slant to the coverage (which among other things definitely has an anti-Abhishek coloring..). Again this isn’t to deny the obvious. Ajab Prem.. looks like a big one unless the current commentary is completely hyperbolic. And one can’t take this away from Ranbir even if the ‘obvious’ narratives on stars and films have never interested me too much.
November 9, 2009 at 12:10 PM
He has not delivered the way one would expect him to even if I continue to be very wary of the usual debates ‘against’ him because there is a constant shifting of positions here and hardly ever a consistent logic framework. I am reminded of that joke Zizek usually quotes. The guy who offers three excuses about the ‘broken kettle’:
1)It was broken when I borrowed it from you
2)It was intact when I returned it to you
3)I never borrowed it from you
Each one of these reasons can hold on its own but not with the other two. Every single explanation contradicts the other two, therefore they cannot be stitched together. But this is precisely what happens in an Abhishek debate for the most part.
November 9, 2009 at 12:24 PM
Abhishek is still the actor whose films I look out for the most even more than his dad’s as I feel there’s so much talent and ability in the guy but I was terriblly worried in his ability to chose the right subject , until now . I might not be too happy with Dostana2 but the other films he’s reported to have signed are the type of films I want to see him in and with the kind of makers he should be working with and as long as he stays away from the ‘he’s my friend so I’m doing it’ kind of films . Then I have no doubt in his ability to prove that he is Amitabh Bachchan’s son in the cinematic way .
November 9, 2009 at 12:33 PM
I will agree with the sentiment that most of the time he’s the star-actor who interests me most in Hindi cinema of all those currently working including his father. Because the truly interesting is the exception for the father. Abhishek though has been consistent about this even when things haven’t worked out. The current lineup as I said intrigues me because for the first time I see something beyond the interesting — a kind of continuity in terms of ‘character’ in some of these films. I am very indifferent to films like Dostana (even knowing the buzz the first one generated) though Abhishek probably needs these given the risks he otherwise takes. Again I doubt we’re looking at anything disastrous in his current lineup. the flops, such as they might be, could be along D6 lines. Respectable gross for a flop (this is what I call a film that does as much as Yashraj’s BAH!), also one that matched the SR one. There also looks to be huge payoffs here if multiple ones do work (and again barring Bourne because this is a new director though in this genre the drona kind of disaster is precluded) there are less very apparent weaknesses in this lineup (again learning from past experience where his films are concerned). This is a key lineup. There had been definite loss of momentum since Guru with that rare box office spark in Dostana (also one where people loved him) and now with this sequence we have the possibility of box office success for sure but also strong roles in a defining sense that also get the right critical attention. I am looking for those key films here. The Bourne and Dostana 2 and so forth are just bonuses to the real deal. The latter has to work since that is really Abhishek’s narrative.
November 9, 2009 at 5:48 PM
Also Abhishek seems to have learned to give the Spanish Archer to those useless cameos he used to do for all of his friends that did nothing for his career. And at least he is working with his talented friends instead of his untalented hack friends during this new span of his career with his current projects. I’d say that is a vast improvement on his part which can only benefit his career.
November 9, 2009 at 12:40 PM
I’ve heard Ranbir has rejected Delhi-6.
November 9, 2009 at 12:49 PM
that’s one of the totally silly rumors here..
November 9, 2009 at 1:07 PM
I remember Rishi Kapoor disclosed this in the interview.
November 9, 2009 at 5:38 PM
I utterly concur. I like many actors in BW. But Abhishek is the only young actor in BW who vastly excites me as an actor where I will go out to see all of his movies to give them a chance. He has vast talent, versatility, charisma, vulnerability, strength, and intelligence that shines through his roles. Barring perhaps one movie I feel that Abhishek’s upcoming line up is the best since his career has began. He keeps nicking good movies that are interesting. It’s the proper mix and balance.
The movies he has signed up for are the sort he should be doing at this stage of his career. He has strong central roles and is working with top directors in good projects that are commercial fare as well as being prestigious(or worthy) cinema. Eagerly looking forward to his upcoming movies. No one knows the future. But I concur that I think Abhishek will remain one of the best young actors in the industry with much more success to back it all up.
November 9, 2009 at 12:59 PM
Abhishek as an actor is highly overrated on this site. He is neither a great actor nor has a good screen presence. Only positive is that he is better than Fardeens/aftabs/zayeds of bollywood, but thats not saying much. After so many years he is still a bit awkward on the screen, and there hasn’t been a single performance of his that has bowled over the audiences (not even Guru ). With Ranbir and Shahid showing bright potential for A-list, Abhishek will continue to be in the B-list of bollywood. As far as his movies are concerned, apart from RAVANA, nothing looks good. Ashu will give him one more flop, and he will have to bank on DOSTANA-2 for that elusive hit.
November 9, 2009 at 1:24 PM
i will disagree wid u here gabbar coz i think abhishek has a phenomenal screen presence compared 2 shahid 4 sure..as 4 ranbir i cant say much coz i haven’t seen much of his work…i thought shahid was pretty ordinary in kaminey when d whole world was raving about him..i thought ab was so much better in d6 than shahid in kaminey… but then i dont know whats d criteria 4 a critic 4 a good performance nd a bad one!! as 4 guru i thought it was a very natural performance frm abhi esp.during d younger portions of gurukant desai’s life…i think he has not probably given a gr88 performance say in a very comercial sort of hindi masala film..dat is his only shortcoming ..i guess..!!!!
November 9, 2009 at 1:47 PM
LMAO – all of a sudden Shahid has great screen presence and acting skills. Where were these skills prior to Kaminey when he was starring in forgettable movies? And even Kaminey is way overrated. As for Ranbir, he is still a work in progress and it is too soon to say if he will grow beyond the same type of roles he has been playing now. Look at what happened to Hrithik for a number of years after a flying start.
It seems as soon as someone has a bit of success the hyperboles are thrown around like confetti.
November 9, 2009 at 5:55 PM
Agree 100% with the view that the ‘character’ now emerging in his choice of subjects and even in how directors now see him . There is a realization that he can not play a caricature , he has to play someone real to get the best out of him . All his lauded performances have him playing someone people can identify with and he is chanelling that drive that could lead him to be the ultimate Actor-Star . He is definitely following the path that Aamir has laid down . A fit that suits him perfectly as he could bring an excitement to projects that would normally be labelled niche or multiplex films . Bringing to the table bigger investments due to the star quality he offers these films .
November 9, 2009 at 6:26 PM
I also realized after JBJ that whatever other faults the film might have had it had a very enjoyable second half (even if one had problems with the first, which was of course the more interesting one though poor in terms of ‘content’ that should have made the film somewhat safer… CCTC was a worse film and tashan was a spoof more or less throughout… With those two films I can in some sense better understand the complete failures) that Abhishek because of his genealogy cannot just be the central figure in a film but also has to be the ‘point’ of the movie. Akshay Kumar is central to each of his films but operates with little or no symbolic registers. Abhishek cannot do that. The Bachchan signature always has to be accounted for. This was a problem with SR where RGV set it up in a certain way in the first film for audiences to expect this, also throughout the second film he led audiences to believe the same but then rather inexplicably Abhishek exited the film. This defeated the entire logic of the franchise and the film suffered. Note how even the first Sarkar was really interesting not because it was about Bachchan’s ‘being’ but Abhishek’s ‘becoming’. Though the last bit of SR was interesting in its own right, though Bachchan dominated the show, both of these factors couldn’t rescue the film once the audience had been disappointed (in the same way they expected to see more from ash-abhi as well). Again D6 where Abhishek isn’t quite the point of the film and really central to an ensemble cast (Mehra’s original design which he’s now introducing might have solved the problem to a degree). In D2 again what really annoyed specially the male viewers (this is really the subliminal message of the film) wasn’t that they liked Hrithik more but that they couldn’t like Abhishek as much (which is what the previews promised). Now take his successes where in every instance he is not just central but is invested with a symbolic potency. Even in a smaller film like BM. Directors and abhishek don’t understand this sometimes at their own hazard. So in this sense I think every one of these upcoming films is ‘about’ Abhishek, irrespective of how good or bad they turn out to be. Even Paa has him in the all important role of playing father to his legendary father. This can hardly be overlooked. Again the other lesson from Aamir is that even as a commercial star can range across genres and subjects there has to be a certain character continuity. Enough for the audience to ‘recognize’ a persona from film to film. As GF suggested recently you can’t be star when you wish and Irrfan Khan the rest of the time. It doesn’t work that way unfortunately. The star’s ‘signature’ always has to be visible. And the Bachchan signature is a massive one!
November 9, 2009 at 6:29 PM
of course this also places a great burden on this lineup inasmuch as he really needs a great deal of success here. At the same time if I’m reading these films right and if even most of these live up to their billing he’ll be in a very unique position whether the media recognizes it or not. Ironically even in that situation he wouldn’t be able to get ‘better’ films. He’s already been working with some of the choicest directors. He could get those he hasn’t worked with yet but he could hardly better the talents he is or has been associated with.
Neeraj Pandey is the way to go.. of the well known directors he could do films with them as when the opportunities arose but he should also pay enough attention to the Pandey sort of director who promises a great deal in a smaller film and who delivers as well. Such a director can do great things in a second film. This is different from catching them when they’ve already delivered with a big star and are onto their third film. because sometimes such directors have only one or two good films in them, often only one with a major star. But this also sends the right message to emerging talents. that Abhishek is always a possibility. Which is more than can be said for some of his peers. But the latter preclude some of these talents to their own disadvantage. I would like to see Kashyap do the right kind of project with Abhishek, nothing too crazy. But Kashyap might have shot himself in the foot enough with respect to the latter!
November 9, 2009 at 6:45 PM
Abhi has afantastic line up. Am not sure about the box offcie potential of the Gowarikr movie.
Wish PAA would be releasing soon.
November 9, 2009 at 6:45 PM
There is talk in HT that Kahyap is indeed in talks with ABCorp about a film and even a direct quote from him stating that talks were ongoing and hoping to be finalized . I sense Kashyap in some sense feels a little bit ignored in his help in creating the Abhishek ‘character’ as he always states the Yuva portions were all his work and even Guru’s first draft was written by him .
November 9, 2009 at 7:58 PM
yeah but Kashyap makes out as if he almost deserves more credit than Rathnam himself!
November 9, 2009 at 7:02 PM
http://www.hindustantimes.com/rssfeed/mirchmasala/Aishwarya-Bachchan-Corporation-Limited/Article1-474555.aspx
Anurag Kashyap said, “Talks are on and if it’s finalised, it’ll be an exciting union for me.” “I’ve worked with both Ash and Abhishek. Both are thorough professionals. It’s a pleasure to work with the Bachchans,” said Gadhvi, neither confirming or denying an imminent partnership with the Bachchan banner.
November 9, 2009 at 7:58 PM
Interesting. LOL! I was just talking about kashyap. On Ash she has been very involved of late but the way these stories have been constructed it’s been overrated. Again an anti-Abhishek slant to some of these pieces. he’s very much at the center of things.
November 9, 2009 at 8:23 PM
Yeah, but I think she may be getting ready for motherhood and taking on the role of point person at ABCL which would be a good move since Jaya is busy with politics, ABsr has stated he is not interested and ABjr is busy making movies. Aishwarya is said to be a very good business woman.
November 9, 2009 at 8:30 PM
I don’t know what kind of business woman she is. She does have nerve and poise. These alone do not make for wise business decisions but it’s a good quality to have. Not that abhishek lacks it either. For all the pressure he constantly faces he sticks to his guns. paa though was his baby according to his own interview and balki’s when it came to making it a home production and handling every facet. But you see here a narrative where when good things happen to the Bachchans Ash gets the credit! Bachchan himself is more or less uninvolved in all of this, that bit is true. And again Ash is becoming more active and she could become as you said the principal point person in this sense. But the decisions on what films to take on will have Abhishek integrally involved, specially since he will be starring in many of them! So it’s not that it is factually wrong in that sense but as always a misleading impression is conveyed.
November 9, 2009 at 8:37 PM
As per Abhishek, Ash has managed most of the pre tasks for unforgettable tour. I don’t know whether she can pick right scripts, but she is good in managing.
November 9, 2009 at 10:43 PM
I highly concur. The piece is trying hard to lob any credit or praise away from Abhishek, Jaya or Amitabh in regards to AB Corp. It’s sort of laughable how the Indian press are at it again. Aishwarya is Abhishek’s wife so of course she is more involved in AB Corp. But its dishonest and a vast misrepresentation to paint her as the only one who is pulling the strings behind AB Corp. It’s a fallacy of immense proportions with one one aim and that is to negate any of the great contributions that Abhishek and his parents have made for AB Corp in the past. And how they are making brilliant strides in the present. Anyone who believes that Abhishek and his parents are not actively involved in every single decision of AB Corp is delusional which the India press seem to be when it comes to giving the Bachchan’s their due.
Jaya is not busy with politics all year long and when she is not she has been vastly active in the company. She still is til this day responsible for films and the casting etc. that is brought into the company. Amitabh is also involved in every matter of the company. The man has 50 meetings a day it seems about the company. He signs all of the checks and his John Hanock is needed for every decision. Amitabh seems to cotton to having successful company. Abhishek is also vastly involved in all creative and financial decisions for AB Corp. It’s been that way since he had to unfortunately bunk university to come home to aid his father during AB Corp’s lean days. Abhishek actually has more experience behind the scenes as an assistant director and producer because of all of the years he has worked behind the scenes at AB Corp. He’s been doing this since he was 20 years old. Abhishek is vastly committed to AB Corp. His movie career has never deterred that or gotten in the way of him helping run the company. I don’t think it ever will since he seems to want to help his father build AB Corp up as a viable production company.
Also if SRK, Hrithik, Aamir, Akshay, and other actors can have active movie careers while running successful production companies then so can Abhishek. It’s a no brainer. All the piece had to write was that Aishwarya has a more active and involved role in AB Corp with the rest of the Bachchan’s. And wants to make it a more successful business in the future with the family. Kept it truthful, simple, and not insult anyone’s intelligence. The misrepresentations and fallacy assumptions of one being more powerful than the others should not have even been apart of the equation since its inaccurate. But its what is expected and par for the course when the Indian press deal with the Bachchan’s.
November 9, 2009 at 8:57 PM
Paa music release 12th Nov. They have updated the web site with Progeria case in Mumbai.
November 9, 2009 at 9:07 PM
Ted: I hadn’t heard about the Unforgettables. I’d be surprised if Ash was handling all of it. But in any case the first home production after a long time was handled by Abhishek throughout. Ash has come in now with the advertising. Of course there would be nothing wrong even if she WERE to handle everything. I am just arguing against these media narratives because no matter what the situation these are designed not to give Abhishek credit.
November 9, 2009 at 10:51 PM
Aishwarya making decisions about her and Abhishek’s set or something else at the Unforgettable Tour is expected and normal. It’s a whole kettle of fish different than what the HT piece is aiming for which is to render the Bachhan’s contributions to their own production house null and void. It’s all about never giving Abhishek credit or due as an actor, producer, etc. Any success Abhishek experiences. The Indian press rushes off to give credit to everyone else. Anything to make Abhishek come off as lesser even when the facts tell a vastly different story. But any failure is immediately lobbed all on his lone shoulders. It’s predictable how the biases operate in regards to him. It’s good that Abhishek is continuing on despite the disadvantages and biased agendas aimed at him. I guess Abhishek is a Pollyanna or optimist sort of like me.
LOL
November 10, 2009 at 10:45 AM
Eire: I am not sure I agree that SRK is running a successful production company: every film of Red Chilies has flopped barring Om Shanti Om. On Filmkraft, I would guess rakesh spends more time running that than hrithik does, but that’s just a guess…
November 10, 2009 at 10:54 AM
hey q bhai ..hows u…?????
November 10, 2009 at 5:22 PM
Barring some dud movies. Red Chillies has been vastly profitable for SRK. It’s been successful for him. Rakesh does the heavy lifting at Filmkraft. However since most of the hit movies have starred Hrithik with his vast inputs. Hrithik does indeed help his father out with their home production company which is what Abhishek has been doing behind the scenes for AB Corp the last 13 years. My point still stands that if other actors with active movie careers can run or help run their own production companies. Abhishek can indeed do the exact same thing and not comprise his career. He has already been doing it all these years. Abhishek getting more into the production side at AB Corp can only aid his acting career in my view. I’m stoked he has taken the next step in this direction with producing.
November 10, 2009 at 11:06 AM
hey guys,
new entrant mira here. have been following your site for a long time now, especially love satyam’s replies on Mr B’s blog. you really are a ‘gyani’ in all things filmy, and then some.
let me, before i go any further, also confess, that i am a complete Abhishek-pankha, completely besotted, completely in love. and have been so right from his Refugee days. admit that he has given some God- awful performances- dhai akshar and tera jadoo and drona are a case in point, but otherwise, on the whole, he has always, ALWAYS, given consistently pitch-perfect performances.
Even in a dumb film like D2. just watch the climax scene- the capture at the cliff face or the last scene- at the eatery- Abhishek always stays so true and real- it doesn’t seem as though he is acting. while the other two leads in the scene, they could be part of a badly acted school play, no questions asked. can’t imagine why he agreed to do such a badly written role. i assume the reasons were completely to do with his personal life, so i will refrain from commenting further.
which is why i was so happy that it is Deepika in KHJJS after Asin’s exit. i was so worried that AG might just be tempted to rope in Mrs AB Jr. thank the Lord that this didn’t happen. now here’s wishing that AG recreate the Lagaan magic, this time with Abhishek.
as for some stupid hack trying to take away due credit from Abhi with regard to running ABCorp. they’ve always been doing this, even to Mr B. in his heyday they’d call him Mr Bhaduri- you know, Mr and Mrs Jaya Bhaduri!!!
you know the tactic, praise the man’s wife, and underline the unsaid insinuation that the man himself is no good.
damn, i feel like i’m living my school days all over again. then it used to be Mr B, now its the son i adore. one thing is for sure. the indian press have never made it easy to be a Bachchan fan!!!
regards, mira.
November 10, 2009 at 11:25 AM
Thanks for commenting Mirabai.. hope you do so more often…
November 10, 2009 at 5:24 PM
Hi mira, nice post.
November 10, 2009 at 4:42 PM
he mentions Amitabh..
http://www.thehindu.com/mp/2009/11/11/stories/2009111150590500.htm
November 10, 2009 at 5:35 PM
Abhishek and others at the Mahurat of “Khelein Hum Jee Jaan Sey
http://filmicafe.com/news_detail.php?news_id=12704
http://www.pinkvilla.com/files/imagecache/ContentPreview/files/mahurat3.jpg
November 10, 2009 at 9:37 PM
Is it the same look/dress for Abhishek for the whole film?
November 10, 2009 at 9:48 PM
This outfit may have only been in use for the mahurat of the movie.
However Abhishek will be in other clothes during the duration of the shooting of the movie. Surya Sen was a teacher, freedom fighter, and when on the run worked at various jobs. I think its bang on certain that he will be seen in different outfits. Neeta Lulla is the movie’s clothes designer per the above article.
November 10, 2009 at 9:49 PM
that seems to be his Paa costume. he might have been doing promotions on the same day.
November 10, 2009 at 7:19 PM
thank you satyam and eire for the welcome. would love to comment more often, especially on all matters “Abhishekian”!
November 11, 2009 at 4:34 AM
thank you kassam, doesn’t he look gorgeous!! and no, satyam, he’s wearing a dhoti— the freedom fighter look— not the politician look of paa.
January 14, 2010 at 4:48 PM
From Twitter:
AnupamPkher: Met Neeraj Pandey ( A WEDNESDAY) after a long time. Read his new script SPECIAL CHABEES(26). It is fabulous. Waiting to shoot for it in oct.
January 14, 2010 at 5:08 PM
good to hear..
August 4, 2010 at 7:52 AM
Abhishek not to work with Neeraj
August 4th, 2010
Neeraj Pandey, the director of A Wednesday won acclaim for making a gripping thriller and extracting terrific performances from Anupam Kher and Naseeruddin Shah. But that was back in 2008. Since then, the director has not made another film. Neeraj does not even have a single directorial venture on the floors nor has he started shooting.
Ask the filmmaker why and he explains: “I didn’t want to rush into anything. Also, I’m a slow person. I had many offers but those projects didn’t excite me.” So what had happened to the project Special Chabbis that Neeraj was reportedly working on? He replies, “We will start filming this project in December. It is based on an incident when 26 men, posing as Income Tax officials, carried out a mock raid on a leading jewellery store in Mumbai and jewellery worth millions were ‘seized’ and never returned.” There were rumours that Abhishek Bachchan would star in Special Chabbis but Neeraj clarifies, “Abhishek is not in the film. We were in talks but things didn’t work out. He had not been confirmed for the film, but the news was blown out of proportion.”
August 4, 2010 at 7:53 AM
pity, this was one I was looking forward to..
Abhishek has possibly walked away from this one.. look at the earlier interviews where Pandey says Abhishek is on board..
not sure what the deal is..
December 29, 2010 at 4:44 PM
While I certainly regret Abhishek not doing this one Devgan is the right replacement and if Johar had a quarter of a brain he would have chosen Devgan for Agneepath (other than Abhishek that is..) and specially after OUATIM. But Devgan after having a great year is suddenly going through a mini-renaissance. I have never been his greatest fan but his resurgence pleases me.
December 30, 2010 at 1:52 AM
Satyam well said on both counts!!! I would’ve liked Abhishek to be a part of this one (I’m a huge fan of A WEDNESDAY) however am glad Ajay has got it! This sort of stuff is his forte for the most.
Devgan has had a peak like this in the past where everything he churned was either a box-office hit or heavily critically acclaimed-COMPANY, TLOBS, DEEWANGEE etc but back then it was only for intense roles. It pleases me to see Devgan has got the basics of a “mass” comedy right with ALL THE BEST and the GOLMAAL franchise.
OUATIM and AAKROSH is the type of stuff that I love Devgan for more, and yeah….Devgan would’ve been a brilliant choice for Vijay Dinanath Chavan over Hrithik Roshan? OUATIM remains one of the most iconic performances of the last decade for me. Devgan has always been a rather enjoyable presence offscreen. Low-key as hell, but the few interviews he appears earnest, down-to-earth and without any pretensions. He’s ALWAYS had a fan-base as far as the Single Screens go but I guess it’s becoming more noticable after the WANTED/DABANNG wave. VERY curious to see hiow Devgan delivers on something like a SINGHAM remake….
Oddly enough, this one sounds like a bigger dud as far as a remake goes compared to DON. Again, why call it a remake?? Why not just make a slick action gangster drama with Hrithik Roshan, Sanjay Dutt and Rishi Kapoor?
December 30, 2010 at 2:01 AM
I harp on about the SINGHAM remake because I believe if there is anyone else who will benefit greatly in the WANTED/DABANNG wave it’s Ajay Devgan! He’s shown it in a very different way in OUATIM and even AAKROSH, however it’s something like SINGHAM which may surprise. I recently saw the Tamil version (with subtitles) and it’s a testosterone fulled masala actioner with Suriya in top form!
December 29, 2010 at 4:57 PM
think abhishreks career needs an urgent resuscitation asap–no doubt about it!
NObody will admit that abhi has been replaced by ajay—it si obvious that post raavan, kkjs—abhis commercial credibility is way down –plus ajay has had probably the best year or two.
December 29, 2010 at 6:11 PM
actually I know for a fact that Abhishek wasn’t ‘replaced’ here. Also these kinds of low budget films don’t get affected when a star is in box office trouble but the bigger commercial ones (of which Abhishek has not had a problem getting them!). Note that Bhansali after Saawariya and Guzaarish has been able to get a project going with Abhishek. Anything else is hardly riskier than this! Not that Abhishek’s credibility isn’t in question but the thing that frustrates/perplexes all sorts of people on Abhishek is the extent to which he is able to get the projects he wants at every point. I think people at least within the industry are far more on my side of the equation when it comes to an ‘explanation’ of what he’s about and so forth, or else the fact that they keep casting him would not make even minimal sense. Again I don’t disagree that he need serious box office success soon and followed up by consistency but one can nonetheless go wrong in reading the tea leaves.
December 30, 2010 at 1:54 AM
yeah there doesn’t appear to be any “bad blood”…seems like a mutual decision and hopefully we see Pandey work with Abhi in the future.
December 30, 2010 at 8:28 AM
neeraj pandey is an interesting maker–noticed his “slow pace”.
he appears a bit muddled up anyhow in award functions.
besides,. i would like to see atleat one more good film from him to reserve judgement—remember many one film woders like john matthew mathan–
maybe a blessing indiguise for abhishrek.
agree that he has got the bhansali film which cannot be disregarded.
but any way u look at it, abhishrek needs urgent box-office success(es).
or else he runs the rsk of being run over by the new brigade andthe resurgent oldies like salman and aamir( as he has been already in the past year or two).
Thats the final reckoning in bolly or even in hollywood—cash at the end of the day.
afew good critical acclaim projcts keeps ones ego, skills and prestige intact.
but what did he gain from kkhjs—have not seen it but heard the film was v good.
but see freq jokes where he is the butt of jokes for persistence in avoiding box-office success
December 31, 2010 at 8:34 PM
After such a good year, Ajay is likely to get quite a few good offers, and the flow has started.
January 13, 2011 at 4:02 PM
Naseer to work with Neeraj Pandey
Frustrated with the last year’s failures, Naseer had decided to take a sabbatical from films in 2011. But he has made an exception for the director’s next
Subhash K Jha
Posted On Thursday, January 13, 2011 at 04:02:25 AM
“ 2010 has been a bum’s year for me in the movies,” Naseeruddin Shah disgustingly said as his under-production films were aborted 2010 and he decided to take a sabbatical from films in the 2011.
The only lease of life for him in the last year was Saat Khoon Maaf. He exclaims, “The only good experience I had was Vishal Bharadwaj’s Saat Khoon Maaf.
I thoroughly enjoyed that, although I come on for only one-seventh of the playing time.” But it seems he has decided to chuck the idea of taking a sabbatical for the time being and work with A Wednesday director Neeraj Pandey in his next.
While Neeraj Pandey decided to put his film Special Chabbis on hold and focus on another thriller featuring the A Wednesday duo Naseeruddin Shah and Anupam Kher Naseer made an exception for Pandey’s film. Says Naseer, “A Wednesday was a special film.
Neeraj Pandey has come back with another subject for Anupam and me together again. This time it’s a whodunit set in Goa.
While I had played the central character in A Wednesday and Anupam had sportingly pitched in a supporting part, this time the roles are reversed. I will play a supporting part while Anupam plays the central character.”
January 13, 2011 at 4:06 PM
“While I had played the central character in A Wednesday and Anupam had sportingly pitched in a supporting part, this time the roles are reversed. I will play a supporting part while Anupam plays the central character.”
I think Naseer is being a bit self-aggrandizing here. He’s a far better actor than Kher and a far more memorable presence in A Wednesday, but Kher’s part is not “supporting” in the least.