Asin & Genelia in ‘Bol Bachchan’? (earlier post updated)
thanks to Tyler..
LINK
If our source (someone working in the film) is to be believed, Samantha is certainly not romancing Ajay Devgn and Abhishek Bachchan in Rohit Shetty’s Bol Bachchan that is going on floors on August 20 at the Ramoji Rao Film City in Hyderabad.
The two leading ladies finalized for this comedy film are Asin Thottumkal and Genelia D’Souza. Our source confirms, Asin bagged this project probably because her career is being managed by the same endorsement company as Ajay’s. Plus, the Abhishek-Genelia pairing also has a novelty. Bol Bachchan, which is ‘inspired’ by a Hrishikesh Mukherjee film that released in 1979, has all the ingredients of a Rohit Shetty laugh-a-riot.
LINK
There’s a popular slang in B-town used for big mouthed fellas which goes like this ‘Bol Bachchan Amitabh Bachchan’. With no offence meant, the iconic big B’s darling Abhishek will be a part of Rohit Shetty’s next with ‘Golmaal’ producers Ashtavinayak. The movie is titled ‘Bol Bachchan’ and will repeat the ‘Zameen’ pair of Ajay Devgan and Abhishek Bachchan. Kareena Kapoor is most likely to be the female lead.
Of course it will be a comedy… Yaar come on Rohit Shetty picture means what else and shhhhhhhhh… it’s gonna be a remake of yesteryears classic comedy. No no, we are going to tell you the name of the flick and we are not doing any ‘bol bachchan’ boss. It’s happening and our dear bachaa of Shetty – the yesteryear’s villain is doing great.
December 4, 2010 at 10:01 AM
India Today have also carried this story though they haven’t mentioned Kareena. Odd title though. Talk about being subtle!
December 8, 2010 at 9:24 AM
wasnt’ sure what to expect with this but don’t like this at all.
December 8, 2010 at 10:15 AM
thnks kassam
December 8, 2010 at 11:09 AM
yeah Rohit Shetty is really the dregs! Compared to him Bazmee is a very restrained guy! Can’t blame Abhishek though for doing it at this point even if my suggestion would always have been to focus more on masala and get the right kinds of Southern names involved. But hey who listens to me?!
December 8, 2010 at 10:26 AM
first day-
this is the genre athat i love very much.. but i only feel they might have made it over complicated…!!!!!!!!!!!!
December 8, 2010 at 10:39 AM
kangana ranaut continues to impress me.. with her look and style.
December 14, 2010 at 7:56 AM
Ajay, Abhishek come together after eight years
India Gazette
Tuesday 14th December, 2010
(IANS)
Abhishek Bachchan and Ajay Devgn will re-unite on the big screen after a gap of eight years in the film ‘Bol Bachchan’.
‘My company will be producing a film called ‘Bol Bachchan’, which will release by Diwali next year. Abhishek and I will be acting in it,’ said Ajay.
The film will be directed by Rohit Shetty, and Kareena Kapoor is expected to play the female lead.
Abhishek and Ajay were last seen in 2003 ‘Zameen’, which was also directed by Shetty.
December 14, 2010 at 7:57 AM
pretty remarkable that this even a Devgan home production and it’s still called Bol Bachchan! Would be interesting if Kareena is the lead here.
January 20, 2011 at 7:43 PM
SRK-Bebo in Angoor remake
Rohit Shetty is remaking Gulzar’s original with King Khan and Tusshar Kapoor playing the inimitable twins
Kunal M Shah
Posted On Friday, January 21, 2011 at 04:58:14 AM
We’re waiting to double up with laughter. After his success with Golmaal 3, comedy-happy Rohit Shetty is set to remake among the funniest Hindi films of all times Angoor, sources tell us.
The rib tickling 1982 original by Gulzar stayed with generations, especially for unparalleled performances by Sanjeev Kumar, who plays a detective novel aficionado and Deven Verma, who pretends to be a bhaang lover. Both characters have their twin counterparts and all hell breaks loose when they finally encounter each other.
What precedes this encounter is a series of blunders that has us in splits. Of course, Moushumi Chatterjee’s intemperate bawling tendencies just add to the pandemonium.
Rohit Shetty is now attempting to remake this film and the role that Sanjeev Kumar played in the 1982 hit, has been bagged by none other than Shah Rukh Khan, who Shetty is working with for the first time.
Shetty will work on the script along with his trusted scriptwriter Sajid-Farhad. The original was based on Shakespeare’s play A Comedy of Errors. Apparently, for the modern version, Shetty is likely to rope in Tusshar Kapoor for playing Deven Varma’s role.
Kareena Kapoor, after her three stints with Rohit Shetty in the Golmaal series, has developed a great rapport with him. So, no prizes for guessing who will play Moushumi Chatterjee’s role in the film’s remake.
A still from Angoor (1982)
“After he made Golmaal 3, everyone was wondering what Rohit Shetty’s next plans were. People were guessing if he would make a fourth sequel but the director surprised everyone by choosing to work on an Angoor remake.
That he decided to work with Shah Rukh Khan on this came as a real shocker.
It seems that Rohit is now wanting to work only with A-listers,” our source said. Despite repeated calls and messages, Rohit Shetty remained unavailable for comments.
But the director sure has a tough task at hand. Let’s hope he succeeds and doesn’t blame failure on sour grapes.
January 20, 2011 at 7:46 PM
Not sure if there is anything to this. Some of the other info in this piece seems questionable. Rohit Sippy is going to begin work on Bol Bachchan soon which is apparently releasing this Diwali. Unless there’s a change of plan here which seems unlikely. But leaving this aside if this project is confirmed I think this wouldn’t be a bad deal for either the director or the stars. The original Angoor (which I consider fairly insipid as a film and of course the Shakespeare play itself is hardly among his best efforts) did pretty much nothing at the box office. Rohit Shetty to increase the energy level here and make it quite safe in box office terms if not more.
January 22, 2011 at 8:36 AM
of course Rohit Shetty is also doing the Singam remake with Devgan.
January 20, 2011 at 7:46 PM
Double treat for GF. One Tusshar in a movie is a treat, two is a dream.
January 20, 2011 at 7:49 PM
LOL!
January 20, 2011 at 7:51 PM
if they do make the film Tushar would be terrible. Arshad Warsi would be a good fit but he’d steal the show and I don’t think SRK would be willing to do it with him. In the original flat though the film was Deven Varma and Sanjeev worked well together.
January 20, 2011 at 7:57 PM
I think even Tusshar might steal the show..
January 20, 2011 at 9:34 PM
Really hope this is not true
January 20, 2011 at 7:48 PM
Re: Rohit Sippy is going to begin work on Bol Bachchan
You mean Shetty, I appreciate they are easy to mix up!
January 20, 2011 at 7:49 PM
yes my bad..
February 6, 2011 at 2:28 AM
http://www.hindustantimes.com/Small-B-s-big-b-day/Article1-658851.aspx
“A film with all four Bachchans is not on the cards now but Rohit Shetty’s Bol Bachchan is. How does it feel to have a film titled after him? “Once you see the film, you will understand why that is the title,” he says, adding that he’s looking forward to collaborating with Golmaal series’ director, and actor Ajay Devgn. “Rohit’s first film was with me and this script is hilarious. Ajay’s sense of timing is impeccable. After all the films we’ve done, it’ll be fun doing a comedy with him.”
February 27, 2011 at 9:01 AM
its krushna of comedy circus……
February 27, 2011 at 9:53 AM
what are you responding to?
March 16, 2011 at 7:22 PM
Bachchan confirms that Bol Bachchan is based on Golmaal:
http://www.hindustantimes.com/Big-B-denies-signing-film-opposite-Sridevi/Article1-674024.aspx
Damn! I’m appalled! This is one of those films that cannot be touched. Obviously Abhishek has the Amol Palekar role here because Rohit Shetty keeps referring to it as an Abhishek film and of course his name’s in the title! Devgan probably has the Utpal Dutt role. Not that I was expecting a sublime film from Rohit Shetty but Golmaa?! NO NO NO!!!! This is the greatest comedy of Hindi cinema as far as I’m concerned. This is a travesty!
By the way some of those who think I’m too harsh on Shahrukh for attempting Bachchan should note that I’m not even happy seeing Abhishek do Amol Palekar!
As for Rohit Shetty this is really perverse, he does a whole series called Golmaal that has nothing to do with Golmaal and finally does a Golmaal remake which is called something else!
I should get used to this pilfering of classics. It doesn’t look likely to stop anytime soon. Again I hasten to add I am not opposed to every remake. Just dumb ones. LOL, this will now be the subject of my next response on Bachchan’s blog!
March 16, 2011 at 9:31 PM
I agree – not good news at all………….
March 16, 2011 at 9:33 PM
think it will work in a box office sense but I am appalled at yet another desecration!
March 17, 2011 at 3:13 AM
THIS IS CRAP! People like Rohit Shetty should be banned from making any film, let alone a remake of a classic.
March 17, 2011 at 1:54 AM
“This is the greatest comedy of Hindi cinema as far as I’m concerned.”
Do u prefer this over Chupke Chupke? For me Chupke Chupke is the best. Would like to know ur opinion on this.
April 24, 2011 at 2:23 AM
I love Chupke Chupke but like Golmaal far more.
April 24, 2011 at 2:22 AM
confirmation here that Abhishek is doing the Palekar role and Devgan the Utpal Dutt one:
http://www.sawfnews.com/Bollywood/66774.aspx
June 29, 2011 at 6:00 AM
Who is asin cast opposite.
btw who is samantha.
June 29, 2011 at 7:18 AM
i always wanted to see abhishek being paired with genelia i think will make a gr8 pair…………
June 29, 2011 at 8:36 AM
Abhishek gets genelia, Asin for Ajay.
http://www.indiaglitz.com/channels/hindi/article/68110.html
June 29, 2011 at 9:09 AM
Actually don’t mind genelia– a simple no-hang-ups girl. So does “getting” asin means devgun is the “lead” here…
Ps as Sadi before , asin needs an ortho+prosthodontist ASAP .
June 29, 2011 at 9:15 AM
I think they’ve done it more by age. Asin looks older than Genelia. Might be too. I don’t know. On the rest c’mon the film is tiled ‘Bol Bachchan’! Have you seen the original Golmaal? Abhishek has the Amol Palekar ‘double’ role here. Devgan is probably doing the Utpal Dutt boss role. He’s a younger guy than the latter so they’ve given him a girl too.
By the way if you haven’t you should check out the original. It’s the greatest Hindi comedy to my mind. Which is why it’s a pity it’s being remade!
July 6, 2011 at 10:51 PM
Totally agree – original golmaal simply shouldn’t be re-made – the flavour will be lost. Utpal Dutt and Amol Palekar really carried off their roles very well. Hrishida’s script and direction were superb.
June 29, 2011 at 9:33 AM
Golmal was a classic and one of the finest films based on comedy.So this will be nice if a remake of this one is made.
June 29, 2011 at 9:56 AM
I am somewhat strange in this sense.. I think perfection shouldn’t get a redo!
June 29, 2011 at 11:10 AM
If you handle things with care and approach honestly then i find no problem in it.
June 30, 2011 at 7:02 AM
This movie is scheduled to be released during Diwali next year and that ll be a suicide.The grand yrf movie with srk is releasing on the same date which ll eat this completly.Just imagine srk in a romantic flick on Diwali.
June 30, 2011 at 7:07 AM
to bhaiya date aagey peechey kar dengey…. Khush….. Hail SRK
July 16, 2011 at 9:51 AM
Abhishek Bachchan caught in a double dilemma
SUBHASH K JHA 16 July , 2011
MUMBAI: He has often been caught in a dates clash between two films. But now he has to deal with a clash of looks! That’s just the dilemma which Abhishek Bachchan faces at the moment regarding two of his films that are to go on the floors simultaneously.
For Rohit Shetty’s Bol Bachchan, which is a remake of Hrishikesh Mukherjee’s 1979 hit comedy Gol Maal, Abhishek has to discard his cool-dude act and get into the Simple Simon act, plump up the kilos and become blissfully unfashionable, a la Amol Palekar in the 1979 film.
However, for Rajkumar Santoshi’s Ladies & Gentlemen, where Abhishek plays a Casanova, a la his dad in Hrishikesh Mukherjee’s Jurmana, Abhishek needs to get into the coolest shape and togs. He has to lose weight and wear the best clothes from the best international designers that money can buy.
Now, the dilemma being faced by Abhishek is how to achieve this transition from Khadi to Armani without any pause for breath! Both Bol Bachchan and Ladies & Gentleman are slated to be shot together.
A source tells Businessofcinema.com, “Rohit Shetty and Rajkumar Santoshi’s films require completely contrasting looks from Abhishek. The last time he changed his appearance for a role was Mani Ratnam’s Guru when he put on massive kilos to get into the character. However, that was the only film Abhishek was shooting at that time. The dilemma now is, how to shoot for two films that require a specific look, body-shape and personality from the actor?”
As per information available with this website, a solution is now being worked out.
July 16, 2011 at 9:54 AM
It is just amazing the way these stories are sometimes written. the santoshi film has been put off till Ash gets through her pregnancy and starts getting back to work. Abhishek has made this clear!
However I doubt the rest anyway. Why would so much weight be needed to play the Amol Palekar character?! But leaving this aside since there’s a double here the other guy is supposed to be completely different. So this too wouldn’t make sense. Not to mention that he would then have to get back in shape very rapidly for D3.
This whole story sounds bizarre. Perhaps Shetty doesn’t want the leaner Abhishek (as he currently is) but even if so I wouldn’t agree if I were Abhishek. One of the problems with him is he shifts his weight a bit too much.
July 17, 2011 at 6:17 PM
No Bachchan for Genelia
The actress decided that her role in the Abhishek starrer was too inconsequential and opted out
Vickey Lalwani
Posted On Monday, July 18, 2011 at 03:14:08 AM
His reputation for over crowding his films with A-listers and undertaking exclusively male centric projects has paid off for the most part for director Rohit Shetty. But, with the latest turn of events he might have to reconsider this formula that has usually won him critical acclaim.
Reportedly, the leading lady in his upcoming production Bol Bachchan, Genelia D’Souza, felt inconsequential in the Abhishek Bachchan and Ajay Devgn starrer and so, opted out of the film.
Apparently, Shetty was rather taken-aback by the actress’s decision and tried very hard to convince her to stay on-board.
However, Genelia, who was to essay Bindiya Goswami’s character in the original, was adamant about not going forward with the project. A source explained that while Shetty has had to return to the drawing board to cast another actress, his losses are minimal as the film has not yet gone on floors.
The source explained, “If shooting was in process, Shetty would have to re-shoot with Genelia’s replacement, which in turn would have increased the cost of the film.
At least now, producers Ashtavinayak will not have to bear a hole in their pocket. It was a good call for Genelia to opt out before the film went on floors.”
When asked why the actress opted out, the source said, “When she read the script, Genelia felt that she didn’t have a very significant role in the film. But that is with most of Shetty’s films – either they are too crowded or they are male-centric.”
However, a friend of the actress came to her defence and denied these claims. “Her dates are clashing with Navdeep Singh’s film, starring Abhay Deol. She had to chose one between the two,” said the actress’s friend.
With Genelia giving up her role in the film, the industry is already abuzz with speculation about her possible replacement. And it seems that Prachi Desai is the most likely contender.
“Shetty spoke to Prachi, who instantly agreed to step into Genelia’s shoes,” added the source. When contacted, both Genelia and Prachi remained unavailable for comment.
July 18, 2011 at 2:04 PM
Genelia walks out of Rohit Shetty’s film
Genelia D’souza has decided to opt out of the Abhishek Bachchan and Ajay Devgn starrer Bol Bachchan, despite being asked to stay on board. The reason for Genelia’s sudden exit was her presumably ‘insignificant role’.
After Zameen, Rohit Shetty will once again be directing his favourite Ajay Devgn, alongwith Abhishek Bachchan in the film which is a remake of Hrishikesh Mukherjee’s Golmaal.
While Abhishek will be playing Amol Palekar’s role in the original film, Ajay Devgn will have to fill in the shoes of Utpal Dutt, whose performance as Bhawani Shankar is still widely considered a benchmark. Genelia was supposed to play the role Bindiya Goswami essayed but backed out because she thought it was inconsequential to the film.
Genelia“When she read the script, Genelia felt that she didn’t have a very significant role in the film. But that is with most of Shetty’s films – either they are too crowded or they are male-centric,” a source told Mumbai Mirror.
However, a source close to Genelia said: “Her dates are clashing with Navdeep Singh’s film, starring Abhay Deol. She had to choose one.”
Needless to say, Shetty was rather taken aback by the actor’s decision and tried very hard to convince her to stay on-board. However, after the actor seemed persistent on her decision, it seems that Shetty has offered the role to Prachi Desai.
“Shetty spoke to Prachi, who instantly agreed to step into Genelia’s shoes,” added the source. When contacted, both Genelia and Prachi remained unavailable for comment.
The Golmaal connect
Not only is Rohit Shetty directing a remake of Golmaal, he is also the director of the Ajay Devgn starrer Golmaal series. Interestingly, every film that Shetty has directed so far has starred Ajay Devgn in it. Well, it seems like Shetty loves the title Golmaal almost as much as he loves Ajay Devgn!
July 26, 2011 at 8:19 AM
“Bol Bachchan is completely different from Golmaal” – Ajay Devgn
By Joginder Tuteja, July 26, 2011 – 11:27 IST
Ajay Devgn Ever since Bol Bachchan was announced, there have been speculations galore around it being an official remake of Amol Palekar-Utpal Dutt starrer Golmaal. Since Rohit Shetty is the director of Bollywood’s biggest franchise till date, Golmaal, there were no doubts whatsoever that it was time for payback. However, as it has turned out, even though rights of Hrishikesh Mukherjee directed laugh fest have been bought by the makers of Bol Bachchan, there would be an altogether different spin to the tale, hence ensuring that quite a few surprises would be in store for the viewers.
“For Bol Bachchan, Rohit didn’t want any controversies whatsoever”, says a source attached to the film, “For his Sunday, he had bought rights of the Telugu film Anukokunda Oka Roju. Ditto for Singham which is the remake of namesake Tamil film. This is the reason why even though only the basic thread of old Golmaal has been picked for Bol Bachchan, he insisted with his producers that complete rights of Golmaal were bought so that no one pointed a finger in his direction in future.”
What must have played in Rohit’s mind is his earlier film Golmaal Returns for which he was accused of lifting the plot of an old film called Aaj Ki Taaza Khabar. He was obviously hurt since there were barely any similarities.
“Yes, for Bol Bachchan too I could have gone ahead, made the film and then comfortably made an official statement that I was just inspired by Golmaal. In any case almost entire screenplay has been changed here, just like it is the case with Singham as well. However I wanted to stay away from controversies”, says Rohit who is currently high on the success of Singham and would begin shooting of Bol Bachchan in August.
This decision has come for support from Ajay as well who would be working in his eight successive film with Rohit.
“Yes, we have bought the rights even though we have changed the film completely. People ask me whether I am playing Utpal Dutt and Abhishek has stepped into Amol Palekar in Bol Bachchan. My answer to them is – ‘Wait and watch before making any assumptions’”, smiles Ajay.
We sure are waiting and watching Ajay!
July 26, 2011 at 8:20 AM
this cheers me up a bit!
July 26, 2011 at 8:31 AM
Interesting it’s set in the North:
http://www.indianexpress.com/news/rohit-shetty-thinking-of-angoor-remake/822439/
August 4, 2011 at 8:28 AM
Ajay-Abhishek to recreate the magic of Hrishida’s Golmaal?
Rohit Shetty is planning the remake of Hrishikesh Mukherjee’s most acclaimed comedy film ‘Golmaal’, which will be titled as ‘Bol Bachchan’.
Sources said, Ajay Devgn is likely to reprise the character of Utpal Dutt on-screen while Abhishek Bachchan will portray the role of Ram Prasad originally played by Amol Palekar.
Though filmmaker Rohit Shetty confirmed Devgn and Abhishek being cast in ‘Bol Bachchan’, he added it was too premature to talk about their characters in the film.
Like the original ‘Golmaal’, the remake will also see Abhishek deceiving Utpal Dutt’s character with his twin brother act.
The original film saw Utpal’s daughter falling in love with Amol Palekar. However, the remake will see Ajay’s sister falling for Abhishek Bachchan, who is yet to be finalised.
It is said that the essence of one liners and comedy will be retained in the remake.
August 4, 2011 at 8:38 AM
they needed a Boman Irani for the Utpal Dutt role. There’s such an obsession with stars doing every part that even great character roles are done by stars. And of course Abhishek himself is too much star to suggest the ordinariness of Amol Palekar. Now the ‘excuse’ usually offered is that this is a different kind of remake that’s not pretending to recreate the contexts of the original and it is only the story that is being borrowed and what not. But this is precisely the problem. The issue isn’t whether the film can be enjoyable on its own grounds. One can get into any number of subjects and pass that ‘enjoyment’ threshold. A great classic doesn’t have to be attempted to get to this minimal bar. Either one re-interprets it in an interesting way. Even if a lesser film an interpretive twist that justifies the remake or else one tries to recreate the contexts of the original for a contemporary age. With the latter again a lesser film could be acceptable. The point I’m trying to make is that you can’t divorce the essential plotline of Golmaal and/or its gags from the choices represented in the film in lots of other ways. The leads chosen, the scale on which the film is made, and so on. But in ‘Bollywood’ these subtleties are usually the first casualty. I otherwise don’t have any doubt that abhishek should do well in this kind of part. Still think Devgan is essentially miscast in all kinds of comedy. But again the issue is something else. And I’d be more lenient if a ‘greatest’ kind of movie weren’t being attempted here. This isn’t about the box office, it’s the kind of subject that can work very well today and Rohit Shetty is in the zone currently. A ‘remake’ ought to justify itself in some way beyond the purely box office equation.
August 4, 2011 at 12:07 PM
All valid points satyam and well summarized. I sincerely hope it is a lot of fun like the original and I do trust Rohit Shetty to do a decent job. This will also be a test for Abhi’s acting chops and how the role is interpreted / played / underplayed. Has to get the tone just right.
On the other hand Ajay has a much easier role here.
I trust Shetty to give a different setting and flavor to the original.
August 4, 2011 at 12:24 PM
Thanks.. Don’t think though that Devgan has an easier role at all given the original. Utpal dutt was brilliant in the original in his very inimitable way. And that’s the thing about the original. Both Utpal Dutt and Amol Palekar were very singular in terms of their persona and acting styles within the entire history of Hindi cinema (Utpal Dutt was of course a Bengali actor as well and Palekar did Marathi cinema). There are no two other actors I could think of who could correspond to these two though Boman Irani for Utpal Dutt is still an easier one than anyone for Amol Palekar.
It’s not that a remake has to recreate those two actors and their specific kinds of persona, just that those ‘types’ worked very well for the world of that film. Now I do agree that since Rohit Shetty isn’t going to create such a film anyway the rest probably doesn’t matter. And to this extent I do agree that Devgan has the easier part. He’s not doing a ‘double’ to begin with but beyond this he can be reactive in a certain bland way (again never though he had an great talent for comedy). On the other hand this isn’t otherwise the sort of challenging part that Abhishek will have any problems with. he certainly has comic gifts (though never completely exploited). The thing I worry about though in this sense is that Devgan won’t really be a good foil for Abhishek either as a persona and certainly not as an actor on this terrain. Again the great thing about the original was that the entire film was a sort of ‘conversation’ between Amol Palekar and Utpal dutt with some wonderful support from the rest. if you don’t get that chemistry going it becomes rather one-sided. Not something a contemporary audience will object to because they’ll watch anything that’s suitably ‘light’! In terms of the set-up this whole film favors Abhishek. That’s not the issue. Nor is it about the box office. I know Abhishek needs a big one and this could be one of those potential ones. But I still stubbornly retain an allegiance to the achievement of an original specially when it’s a great one like Golmaal. I am not against all remakes just stupid ones. Now Rohit Shetty has insisted this is a very loose remake. That might be so but nonetheless once you have that basic framework in place you are still ‘remaking’. It doesn’t have to be a scene by scene deal.
I think the chemistry would have been fantastic with Abhishek and Boman Irani (we saw hints of this in Dostana) and they worked well together even in BM. But Devgan’s producing this so I can hardly blame him for being part of it (!) but more importantly directors today just cast stars in every part one way or the other.
August 4, 2011 at 12:39 PM
Thanks for the detailed response. Fearing backlash and to lessen the hype /expectations, Rohit did talk about the movie being a ‘loose remake’ in his earlier interview. With casting of Ajay in Utpal Dutt’s role , I presume this will be the case. Asin is a trump card among casting and hope she gets a meaty role.
All in all a good project for all involved and esp for Abhi since his comic timing is still undefiled. I like his interviews and sense of humor done with a straight face in real life and I hope he is able to replicate the same on screen.
August 11, 2011 at 4:23 PM
Abhishek turns down Chupke Chupke remake
Mid-Day.com
Thursday, August 11, 2011 ()
Abhishek Bachchan has turned down the opportunity of emulating his dad superstar Amitabh Bachchan in the remake of Hrishikesh Mukerjee’s Chupke Chupke.
Confirms a source, “Abhishek has turned down the role of the scatter-brained Botany professor (played by the Big B in the original) in Sohail Maklai’s remake of Chupke Chupke, as no matter how well he performs the role, he will be compared unfavourably with his father.”
In fact, Abhishek has no qualms in admitting his reluctance to taking on roles originally played by his famous father. “I’m very proud to be my father’s son. But I would rather not try to replicate his roles because, according to me, he has already taken his roles as far as they can go. I don’t think it’s fair to compare my career to his. He’s a phenomenon that happens only once in a lifetime. I’d like to believe every actor from this and earlier generations wants be like Mr Bachchan. Apart from being his son, I’m also his huge fan.”
Contrary to the buzz, he was never interested in Karan Johar’s new Agneepath either. Why would he take the risk of playing the mighty gangster Vijay Dinanath Chauhan, a character his father made famous!
Unfortunately, his rejection of the role in Chupke Chupke has made life very difficult for Maklai. He is now redesigning the script so that it becomes a two-hero project.
Says Maklai, “Bachchan saab comes into Chupke Chupke very late. Dharamji and Om Prakash have more footage. We’re looking into that.” Only Rishi Kapoor has been zeroed in to play the role Om Prakash did in the original.
The other remake of the 1979 Hrishida film Golmaal has gone into drastic re-writing too.
Says a source, “Since the remake Bol Bachchan is Ajay Devgn’s home production, he’s asked director Rohit Shetty, to contemporise both Abhishek and his roles, played originally by Amol Palekar and Utpal Dutt. The tussle between the two men will now be more on the lines of the cartoon characters Tom and Jerry.”
August 11, 2011 at 4:24 PM
find the last bit here implausible..
August 11, 2011 at 5:44 PM
Read somehwere about abhishreks “businessman”
Apparently the singham girl is doing the south indian version but she is NOT doing the one with abhi
It was said that “efforts are on to rope her” for the abhishrek version
Strange–does it mean that even she is not keen ? maybe not….
“the halfticket carrer of abhisek”–TOI
http://blogs.timesofindia.indiatimes.com/line-of-sight/entry/the-half-ticket-career-of-abhishek-bachchan
August 11, 2011 at 5:49 PM
by the way, havent seen singham and seems it has been liked a lot and is 100 crore plus (something that srk has yet to achieve?—correct me if im wrong)
Surprising but Rohit Shetty has joined the select group who have given big hits in genres as different as golmaal from singham!
August 18, 2011 at 10:07 AM
Another Golmaal up their sleeve
By: Hiren Kotwani Date: 2011-08-18 Place: Mumbai
After Singham, Ajay Devgn and Rohit Shetty are remaking the Hrishikesh Mukherji classic, this time with Abhishek Bachchan
Whenever a film becomes a success, buzz about its sequel gains momentum. However, Rohit Shetty has no plans of making Singham 2, though fans have been suggesting it on social-networking webistes.
Instead, the director and his actor, Ajay Devgn, are moving on to Golmaal.
No, it’s not the fourth installment of their successful franchise, but Hrishikesh Mukherjee’s cult classic featuring Amol Palekar-Bindiya Goswami-Utpal Dutt-Shobha Khote, which they’re remaking as Bol Bachchan.
Not surprisingly, Rohit has changed the story in his version starring Ajay, Prachi Desai, Abhishek Bachchan and Asin.
“While the basic idea is the same, we’ve changed the characters, setting and situations,” he says, asserting that he doesn’t believe in starting anything on a dishonest note. “It’s better to acquire the rights and remake it your own way,” he points out.
No doubt about that, since his film is more a rom-com about two pairs of siblings; Ajay and Asin, and Abhishek and Prachi.
Ask him if his Golmaal remake will feature his trademark action sequences, more so since Ajay is playing a wrestler and Abhishek is also getting into shape for his character, the director smiles, “Well, a few thrills are there. But the action will be different from what you’ve seen in Singham.
A still from the original Golmaal
But yes, there’s a car chase sequence in the climax. However, it won’t be anything like you’ve seen in my other films so far.”
Nonetheless, Rohit is looking forward to the collections of Singham (reportedly about Rs 100 crore so far) overtaking the figures of Golmaal 3 (Rs 117 crore total net), his last Diwali blockbuster.
“I didn’t think it would touch Golmaal 3, but it’s going to for sure. I guess, every few years a good story on the cop hero works,” he smiles.
Which brings us to our next topic the initial buzz on Singham being a Dabangg wannabe.
He maintains, “We’ve always said that our film has nothing to do with Dabangg. I won’t be surprised if when the next cop movie comes, it will be compared to Singham.”
August 18, 2011 at 10:09 AM
“No doubt about that, since his film is more a rom-com about two pairs of siblings; Ajay and Asin, and Abhishek and Prachi.”
wonder if this is true.. I thought both of these were romantic pairs. But if this is true it would explain why Genelia didn’t want this sort of ‘pair’ with Abhishek! Also if this is true Abhishek might be with Asin and Devgan with Prachi. But there’s been so much rumor floating around this film it’s hard to figure out what’s true.
August 24, 2011 at 11:37 AM
and here’s a month old piece suggesting that Asin is cast opposite Abhishek (though she doesn’t confirm anything):
http://www.businessofcinema.com/news.php?newsid=18671
August 18, 2011 at 1:18 PM
rohit shetty is surving on rip off’s
when i saw his zameen ( though it was not that sucessful one felt he had the potential …he extracted good performance from both abhishek and ajay there and even first golmal was authentic and its sucess was a surprise but after that its mostly cut copy and paste stuff from him and that to from old classical
classics like golmal and angoor should be spared
August 18, 2011 at 1:22 PM
ok it may be huge sucess like golmal series but the point is not sucess anyway.. though mediocrity sell big way but atleast young directors like him have to bring fresh ideas
August 19, 2011 at 3:31 PM
taran_adarsh taran adarsh
Rohit Shetty’s next film, starring Ajay Devgn, Abhishek Bachchan, Asin, Prachi Desai, goes on floors on 24 August. Releases 6 July 2012.
August 26, 2011 at 9:06 AM
abhishek and asin spotted en route:
http://www.pinkvilla.com/files/imagecache/ContentPreview/bolbachchan.jpg
August 29, 2011 at 1:40 PM
No Golmaal 4 before 2013: Rohit Shetty
Press Trust of India
Monday, August 29, 2011 (New Delhi)
Filmmaker Rohit Shetty has put the fourth installment of popular Golmaal series on hold as he finishes shooting of Bol Bachchan with Ajay Devgn and Abhishek Bachchan.
The director says he does not want the audience to get tired of the comedy series, which revolves around the antics of four friends.
“Yes, we have put on hold plans for Golmaal 4. I am not going to work on the film this year or next year. May be in 2013 we will start shooting for it but even that’s not too sure. I would love to make other films in the interim,” said Rohit.
Though his Golmaal films have done well at the box business, Shetty wants to come up with something unique to begin the fourth movie.
“I always work on fresh ideas and if that’s not true then I could have put two more heroes other than Ajay Devgn and Abhishek Bachchan in ‘Bol Bachchan’ and sold it as Golmaal 4.
“But I didn’t do that. Good stories are available, but then they should justify the brand that you are selling. I don’t want to cheat audience by giving them something in the name of ‘Golmaal’ when I myself is not convince,” he added.
Shetty, who finished Singham in just 132 days, is in no hurry to finish Bol Bachchan.
“I am tired after working hard on ‘Singham’. I am in no mood to make Bol Bachchan in such a short time. I would wrap it up by January next year,” said Shetty.
The director, who started his career in 2003 with Zameen, says that over the years he has learnt how to take care of business and economy while making a film.
“Singham was made at a cost which was 25 per cent lesser than that of Golmaal 3. I could have increased the budget but what’s the point in doing that?”
Shetty is looking to remake Gulzar’s 1982 movie Angoor with Shah Rukh Khan but says it is too early to talk about the project.
“I had narrated the idea of remaking Angoor with Shah Rukh a few months back when he was in India. However I got busy with Singham soon after. There was just one meeting between us, that’s about it. I guess it would be very premature on my part to talk about that further,” he added.
September 8, 2011 at 7:52 AM
Abhishek Bachchan to miss Messi
Piyali Dasgupta, TNN Sep 3, 2011, 12.00am IST
Bollywood actor Abhishek Bachchan who is busy shooting for his next movie ” Bol Bachchan” in Jaipur, had all plans to attend the friendly match being played by Messi in Kolkata.
However, he reportedly won’t be able to do so. According to sources, “Abhishek is crazy about football and is a huge Chelsea fan. He never misses watching any football matches. Unfortunately, even though he was keen to be a part of the mega sporting event happening in Kolkata, he can’t make it due to his busy shooting schedule.”
September 8, 2011 at 7:55 AM
Bol Bachchan to feature action sequences despite being a comedy
By Joginder Tuteja, September 8, 2011 – 10:55 IST
Rohit Shetty If one thought that Bol Bachchan would be an out and out comedy then hold on. That’s because the man at the helm of the affairs is none other than Rohit Shetty and the Singham director has ensured that action finds good place in Bol Bachchan despite it’s light hearted genre.
“It is as simple as that, you can’t take action out of Rohit. When did the genre matter to him when it came to making those cars fly away in air”, quips a close associate, “Even for Bol Bachchan, there are some elaborate action sequences that Rohit has already conceptualised. He keeps getting those innovative ideas and puts them in force. Ajay and Abhishek are prepared to be a part of these stunts which in all likelihood would feature cars again.”
One can well expect these claims to be true if Rohit’s past track is any indication. Since Singham boasted of rustic action and his debut film Zameen was a hijack drama, it was expected that action would form a core of both the films. However, each of his three Golmaal flicks as well as All The Best and Sunday have boasted of liberal doses of action despite belonging to comedy genre.
When contacted, Rohit confirmed that there would be action in Bol Bachchan as well. “Yes, there are a few sequences that I have devised. It is required as a part of the script. Now I have to bring them into execution”, he says.
Given the fact that it’s original inspiration Golmaal (Amol Palekar, Utpal Dutt) didn’t even feature a slap and only had a chase sequence towards the climax, one wonders what would be the other action sequences that would be included in the 2012 version Bol Bachchan.
However, quiz Rohit about varied ideas that come to his mind when it comes to some of his trademark action sequences and he smiles, “See, for every movie there is something new that just strikes me. I could be watching TV and end up observing something that could be inspiring. Or may be I would be driving a car and suddenly something may interest me to convert it into an action sequence for my film. Inspirations could be all around.”
He shrugs away a charge that often comes his way which is about his films boasting of excessive action sequences even at places where it may not really be required. “What charge? It is not a court yaar where a jury is out on me”, he smiles, “Ultimately a film should do well and if the package counts then I won’t shy away from action.”
September 14, 2011 at 8:52 AM
Abhishek Bachchan gets injured while shooting
Abhishek Bachchan gets stitches?
By ApunKaChoice
Wed, Sep 14, 2011 11:51:00 GMT
Junior B, Abhishek Bachchan has injured himself during the shoot of Rohit Shetty’s Bol Bachchan.
Abhishek Bachchan fell off an auto-rickshaw while performing a stunt sequence. The incident (and the shoot of the movie) took place in Jaipur!
Director Rohit Shetty immediately called off the shoot after the mishap, but said that Abhishek is doing fine. Rohit is quoted as saying: “Abhishek got injured while performing the stunt, but he is fine now.”
While some reports claim that he injured his hand after the accident, others claim that he has got seven to eight stitches on his forehead! However, the clear picture is yet to emerge!
Well, Abhishek has had an encounter with a shooting injury in the past as well; one can recall how badly he sprained his back during the filming of Dum Maaro Dum!
First, Shahrukh Khan’s knee damage, then Salman Khan’s nerve disorder, and now Abhishek Bachchan’s injury; looks like Bollywood heartthrobs are working too hard nowadays!
September 14, 2011 at 5:18 PM
Short interview with Abhishek
http://movies.ndtv.com/playvideo.aspx?id=210821&type=
September 14, 2011 at 5:33 PM
Bachchan has written about it today..
September 14, 2011 at 5:44 PM
yes I read it. Very sweet
September 21, 2011 at 6:50 PM
SRK-Rohit want some action
The actor-director duo to put a hold on Angoor remake, will work together on an action packed project first
Kunal M Shah
Posted On Thursday, September 22, 2011 at 03:34:08 AM
Rohit ‘Golmaal’ Shetty got his middle name, thanks to the successful comic series he directed. It was perhaps because of his string of comic hits that a production house signed him on to recreate Gulzar’s 1982 classic Angoor with Shah Rukh Khan.
However, after Singham, the director seems to be more inclined towards the action genre. Shetty has now decided not to make a comedy based on Angoor, but a an action film with the King Khan. The film is expected to go on floors in May next year.
A source told Mumbai Mirror, “Rohit Shetty has always harboured this wish to direct action films. His debut flick Zameen, which was an action packed project, failed to generate the expected response at the box office.
He then made a comedy Golmaal. This was an instant success. Rohit followed it up with four more comedies – Golmaal Returns, Sunday, All The Best and Golmaal 3 – all of these being successes. With the spate of successful comedies Rohit got typecast as a comic filmmaker.”
“However, after the success of Singham this year, Rohit has now established himself as a successful action filmmaker as well.
The plans of remaking Angoor with SRK in Sanjeev Kumar’s role, Kareena Kapoor as the female lead and Tusshar Kapoor in Deven Varma’s role has now been dropped. Rohit will now make a romantic action flick,” added the source.
Looks like after RA.One and Don 2, the King Khan too is in a mood for some more action. The success of the trailers of both the action capers perhaps has got the actor thinking. “SRK was keen on doing an action film.
A fresh script has now been worked out. Shah Rukh has already given his dates to Rohit in May next year,” confirmed the source.
“Angoor script did not work out as planned. Rohit had another script, which turned out to be a much bigger film in terms of production value. Rohit narrated the idea to SRK, who loved it. Khan wanted to make this film first,” said the source explaining why Angoor was put on hold. Shah Rukh Khan and Rohit Shetty remained unavailable for comments.
October 19, 2011 at 9:08 AM
Asin and Ajay all set to get second time lucky with Bol Bachchan
By Joginder Tuteja, October 19, 2011 – 10:48 IST
Asin, Ajay Devgn Asin has enjoyed her status of being the only newcomer to have registered two centuries already when it comes to box office returns. With Ghajini as well as Ready doing over Rs. 100 crores each just in India, she has managed an enviable success rate. However, what pains her heart till date is the fact that her London Dreams with Salman Khan and Ajay Devgn didn’t do well at the box office. So while with Salman she managed to make amends with Ready, she is now keeping her fingers crossed and is quite positive that her second time pairing with Ajay (in Bol Bachchan) would allow her another hit pairing.
“Asin still feels sad about London Dreams”, says a friend of the actress, “Though Ghajini as well as Ready were remakes and she had acted in the former and pretty much knew what the latter was all about, London Dreams was an original and boasted of a new setup for Asin. She always felt that she and Ajay looked good together and it was a matter of time before they were paired again. She just waited for the right setup and it came her way with Bol Bachchan. She feels that the film has good enough potential to establish her ‘jodi’ with Ajay. After Salman, she now wants to strike gold with Ajay on this film.”
Well, she can be pretty much assured that she and Ajay would indeed get second time lucky, what with the man at the helm of affairs, Rohit Shetty, enjoying an enviable box office outing. Boasting of the kind of success rate that no other filmmaker has enjoyed in last 20 years at the least, Rohit has now picked up the subject of Golmaal (Amol Palekar, Bindiya Goswami, Utpal Dutt) for Bol Bachchan.
“The subject is so fantabulous that Rohit can’t go wrong here, especially with the kind of expertise he has shown when it comes to comedies”, says a fellow filmmaker, “In fact he has completely re-written the characters here. Though Abhishek Bachchan and Prachi Desai are said to be reprising the roles of Amol Palekar and Bindiya Goswami, Ajay Devgn is apparently stepping into Utpal Dutt’s shoes.”
As for Asin, buzz is that there is an altogether new character being written. That by itself is heartening enough for the actress as she gets to share very good screen space with Rohit’s favourite hero Ajay. Even though a major schedule of the film has already been wrapped up in Jaipur, the makers continue to be tight lipped about how far they have gone ahead while changing the original script of Golmaal and the kind of characterisation they have put together for Ajay, Abhishek, Asin and Prachi.
On contacting, Asin says, “Obviously I can’t talk much about the film. However, I can definitely say that working with this gang was an eye opener. Ajay as well as Abhishek have very good roles and their comic timing is great. The kind of aptitude they have for comedy is fantastic; more so because Rohit is driving it all. It was great reuniting with Ajay after London Dreams. Of course there was a lot of ‘masti’ while doing the film with him. I am positive we will deliver a good success together with Bol Bachchan.”
November 14, 2011 at 8:59 PM
November 28, 2011 at 10:53 AM
Rohit Shetty talks about Bol Bachchan
With a track record that boasts of five blockbusters, he is arguably the most successful director of his generation. He’s also the only director who has two films in his kitty that have grossed over Rs 100 crore nett in domestic box office collections. What’s more, both these Rs 100 crore plus hits- Golmaal 3 and Singham – released in a span of less than a year. Any which way you look at it, he’s the man with the Midas touch. Here’s Rohit Shetty discussing cinema, genres, the economics of filmmaking and much more with the Box Office India team
Tell us about the next Rohit Shetty film, Bol Bachchan.
It is a typical Rohit Shetty film. (Smiles)
What is a typical Rohit Shetty film?
It works! (Laughs) Jokes apart, it’s a family entertainer, a complete commercial masala film. It has comedy, action, drama, songs. It’s a proper package of a family entertainment and I’m working with Ajay Devgn, Abhishek Bachchan, Prachi Desai and several others.
How similar is Bol Bachchan to the film Golmaal?
It’s totally different.
Hadn’t you bought the remake rights for the original Golmaal?
Oh, you mean the original Amol Palekar starrer, Golmaal? Yes…Well… the basic gist of the story is the same. But when you watch the film, you will realise that it is completely different. Yes, I got the idea for Bol Bachchan from Golmaal so I thought it was a good idea to buy the rights. And we are also accepting that the basic story is from Golmaal.
At what stage is the film right now?
It’s 50 per cent complete and we start shooting again in mid-December. Then, we will have another five-to-six days’ work in April and then the film releases in July.
How important was it for you to avoid being typecast as a ‘comedy director’ when you were working on Singham?
It wasn’t a conscious decision. I had wanted to make an action film for a longtime but I couldn’t find the right subject. When I watched Singham, I thought that it should be made in Hindi.
Singham went on the floors in March with a July 22 release date. Was it a difficult deadline to meet?
It was hectic. Everyone in the industry except my team said it wouldn’t be possible. But we worked 20 hours a day for four months! We would shoot in the morning, edit at night and then shoot again, and the cycle went on.
And you decided to proceed with Bol Bachchan immediately?
I began shooting a promotional campaign for Bigg Boss the day Singham released. I started work on Bol Bachchan a few weeks later.
Doesn’t all this burn you out?
Not really. I’m enjoying it. In fact, being idle tires me.
After Bol Bachchan, what next?
We are planning a film with Shah Rukh Khan called Chennai Express. The scripting is underway and we will start right after Bol Bachchan.
And will that be a comedy too?
It will be another Rohit Shetty film.(Laughs) A masala film.
So the masala genre is back?
Yes, or should I say, it was always there but we were scared to try it.
You have worked with many stars. Is it difficult to handle their egos?
Once you deliver a hit, there’s no problem. Then if you say, ‘Yeh raat hai,’ people are like, ‘Yaar, isne itni hits diye hain toh yeh raat hi hogi.’ That’s how the industry functions. (Laughs)
Your Golmaal series has become a brand. What can we expect from the next installment?
We are working on the script. I have not yet cracked the right idea. The moment we get the right idea, I will make it. I don’t want to cash in on Golmaal simply because it’s a brand.
Throughout your career, you have been associated with certain production houses/people – Ashtavinayak as a production house, Ajay Devgn as a hero. How important is the comfort factor?
It’s very important for me. I have a certain team that works with me on every film; they have been with me from my very first film. Barring a few, none of my technicians change. Not many producers enjoy that kind of faith and loyalty. And I have a great rapport with Ashtavinayak and Ajay Devgn. Can you believe, when we started shooting for Golmaal 3, the producer Raj Mehta had no clue about the script? That’s the kind of faith he had. For Bol Bachchan too, he hasn’t a clue about the script. You have a greater responsibility when the producer has so much faith in you.
Judging by your track record, comedy and action… Do you choose these genres because they work or is it because you’re comfortable with them? (Smiles) It’s funny. Till February, it was just comedy and now its action too. But there’s one thing that doesn’t change. The film has to be a commercial film because, today, the stakes are so high. Whether it’s an action film like Singham or a comedy film like Golmaal or a family entertainer, it has to be a masala film.
Can we ever expect an intense romantic drama from you?
Sure, but that will also be a commercial film.
You are the only director who has two films that have grossed over Rs 100crore. How important are the economics of a film?
People who are stuck in art house culture forget it’s a money making business. In film institutes, the students are so conscious that cinema making should be a passion. I mean, we are not making a nuclear bomb. Why is everyone scared? We are here to entertain, not bomb a country. I ask them, “What is passion?” Even a cobbler is passionate about making shoes. What’s the big deal? It’s not about passion. We must view a film as a product. Bol Bachchan is a product and we have to sell it for Rs 150 per head. We have to serve the audience accordingly. On weekends, the product costs Rs 250.So the question is: are we serving them their money’s worth? That’s what is important. So if someone earns Rs 3,000 a month, you have to remember he is giving us 10 per cent of his salary. Everyone is passionate about their work. But why do we make so much of it? People who talk about passion are frauds. If it’s passion, why not invest your own money? I can’t crack a Rs 100crore deal and talk about passion. The director is always answerable to the person who’s investing the money, right? Yes, I can’t take a huge sum as my fee, and then negotiate with the producers and then say I’m doing something for the society. That’s nonsense!
What is your take on alternative cinema? Or filmmakers that make non-commercial films?
It all depends on the budget. There are a few people I know of who don’t charge very much. They have made seven-to-eight films and they are not all that commercially stable. There’s nothing wrong with that. Each to their own. If I don’t make a Madhur Bhandarker film, it doesn’t mean he is wrong. That is the kind of cinema he makes. Just because I am not able to make that kind of cinema, that doesn’t mean it doesn’t work. Conversely, just because you can’t make my kind of cinema, you say Golmaal is crap. Golmaal is crap, okay, but that’s what generates revenue and that’s why the industry is working. All because of this crap! (Laughs)
Are you mindful of the economics while scripting a project?
Yes. It’s very important. There was a subject I was doing. I finalised the actor and the producer agreed on it. But I decided not to make it because of his (the actor’s) fees. The economics are very important. How else will the industry function?
How important is promotion, given how cluttered the media has become?
I think the most important thing is your film’s first look. When your first look is aired on TV or in cinemas, that’s when the audience decides whether to watch the film or not. Maybe the music director or the exhibitor will come and tell us, “Aap ki picture garam nahi hai.” Then bechara producer bhaag ke doosra gaana shoot karega. Phir promos ko channels pe das baar chalayenge. Agar100 promos chal rahe hain toh 200baar chalayenge. So the first look is very important.
Do you design the first look of your films?
Yes, my film’s first look is designed by me and my editor. We have already begun planning how the first look of Bol Bachchan will open, which releases in July. It’s very important.
There was a comedy element in Singham but you promoted it as an out-and-out action film.
That’s because I didn’t want to cash in on comedy just because I made a film like Golmaal. I didn’t want to cheat the audience. I wanted the film to run on its own merit as an action film. You have to be honest to your film when you’re making a promo. Many people said Singham’s promos made it look like a B grade film but it worked. The bottom line is you have to be honest and promote what your film is all about.
Do you think we’re going overboard with marketing nowadays?
It depends from film to film. If we restrict marketing, it will also get restrictive for producers to make a film only on a certain budget. But, yes, it’s becoming too expensive and then the cost factor affects the director. Like these days, for a regular film, you spend Rs 12-15 cror eon print publicity. To recover that, the film has to make Rs 30 crore more. Ultimately, this adds to the pressure on the director because he makes a film on an X budget but that Rs 15-18 crore is now added to that budget. And to recover that, the film has to double its business. But marketing is something you cannot do without.
How important is a film’s music? Does it help promote a film?
It does. After two of my movies crossed Rs 100 crore, someone came up to me and said, “Sirji, do aur romantic gaane hote toh toh yeh dono film double zabardast hit hoti.” But do you remember that Golmaal Returns had only one song. My films don’t emphasize on music or maybe I am poor in the music department. Except for Golmaal, no other tracks of my films have been great hits. Well, I am trying to learn. (Laughs)
You have always made films with people you’re comfortable with. Now, you’re making a film with SRK. What about the new breed of actors like Ranbir Kapoor and Imran Khan?
It is important that the actor has faith in the kind of cinema I make. Many youngsters may not agree with my kind of filmmaking. They may view it as trash or B-grade cinema or like a ‘80s film.
What is more important – the script or the actor?
It depends on the budget. Script is very important. You can sometimes go wrong even with a big star. If you’re making a small film, it doesn’t matter much but if you’re making a big film then a lot is at stake. You can’t make a Rs 100 crore film with any actor by claiming that you are the best director and that you have the best script. The revenue will exceed Rs 100 crore. Or this will be a second Mughal-e-Azam.
Two films with Rs 100 crore. Have the expectations risen with Bol Bachchan and Chennai Express? What do you have to say to that?
You have to live with it. (Laughs). Now I don’t take on projects thinking they have to cross Rs 100 crore. I have the same approach I had taken on my first, Golmaal.
Do you keep a track of how much money your film earned during its first weekend?
Yes, its very important. Forget first weekend. I keep finding out how much it has made on the first day or right after the first show. (Laughs)
Also the reviews…do you read them?
(Laughs) If my film bags one and a half star, then my mom tells me, “Beta, I am so proud of you! Dedh Star milahai!” Unke aankhon mein aasoon aajate hain. Dedh star mila hai ek ki jagah. Look, I make commercial films and now I know that I won’t get good reviews for Bol Bachchan as it is a hardcore massy film. If the critics give four stars to my film, they think they might sound a little stupid. They have to take care of their reputations you see. (Smiles)
Have the industry perceptions changed?
Yes, in a big way! They change very quickly. That’s when you must do a reality check. When everyone’s praising you, that’s the time you have to be careful.
How important is it for you to keep a track of the other film’s release dates? It’s very important and I keep track of every film, who is making what. Ajay(Devgn) and I just had a meeting about next year, when our film will release, which other films will be releasing at the same time, what gap we should have between our films. We should not assume that we can release our film any time.
Are you a cinema lover?
I make it a point to watch films. I watch a film as soon as the DVDs are available. But I am more inclined towards the ‘70s cinema. My films also have a very ‘70sfeel. But I watch all kinds of films so that I know where the world is going.
Is there a difference in the way two corporate companies work?
Yes. Every company has their own rules. But I am more comfortable with Shree Ashtavinayak.
What works better for you – solo producers or working with a corporate house?
Solo producers any day!
But your next is with UTV Motion Pictures again.
(Laughs) Usko bhi solo kar denge. Jokes apart, they have been in the industry for a long time. They have someone like Ronnie Screwvala. They understand cinema and filmmaking. The corporate have brought in good money and changed everyone’s price including mine. Did you know that Sholay was made with two production managers and one accountant? Then, why do we need 200production people in suits? But every company has their own style of working.
Would you ever launch a production house?
I would be a very bad producer. Ek film and my company would go bankrupt. I can’t handle money.
November 28, 2011 at 10:58 AM
Monday, November 28, 2011
Bol Bachchan Meaning
Bol-Bachan or Bol vachan actually, is a term that is generally used for the intellectual ‘gyaan’ given by yogis, babas, and such ascetic people, many a time in a sarcastic sense.
However, Rohit Shetty is making a movie called Bol Bachchan, starring Abhishek Bachchan and it’s notable that the spelling of the Bachan part goes on to be the same as that in the name of the actor.
Literally, and separately, bol and vachan are two words with the same meaning ‘something that is said, or spoken.’
November 28, 2011 at 11:01 AM
from an older Rohit Shetty interview:
“So, you are going to go back to comedy after Singham?
Yes, I will be back to comedy with Bol Bachchan. Abhishek Bachchan is Abhishek’s name in the film. The situation gets funny because he claims to be a certain Abhishek Bachchan (that does not refer to the film star himself) and gets into trouble. Asin will be doing the film if everything goes well. I’m still hunting for a female actor opposite Abhishek.”
November 28, 2011 at 11:16 AM
“I’m still hunting for a female actor opposite Abhishek.”—-I mean that is surprising
Even genelia refusing due to “date issues” probably
C’mon he may be going through a really bad phase but this is too much —even the so called “biggies” like salman, Akshay have gone hitless for years (not to this extent though probably )
Think abhishrek has to answer with some hits
Though don’t like the players cohort Abbas mastaan might just get him the hit (though not sure)
November 28, 2011 at 11:28 AM
that’s an old interview.. Prachi Desai has since been signed.. there’s been some ‘doubt’ here as to whether the ‘central’ pairs here involve siblings or lovers!
November 28, 2011 at 2:02 PM
How about a new heroine here
Can suggest a few –”audition” in free time
December 2, 2011 at 4:27 PM
Bol Bachchan in a title tussle
Arif Khan and Rohit Shetty are both making films with the same name, complaint lodged with AMPTPP
Vickey Lalwani and Latika Mehta
Posted On Saturday, December 03, 2011 at 02:23:33 AM
Rohit Shetty’s big budget (approximately Rs 94 crore) film Bol Bachchan has been in the news for a long time. And this time, it’s for the wrong reasons. Mumbai Mirror learnt that Aarif Khan who had planned his directorial debut years back, had already registered the very title with Association of Motion Pictures and TV Programme Producers (AMPTPP) in 2007. In fact, the Khan, who is also the producer of the venture, has already started filming the same.
Aarif Khan, who is known as the duplicate of Anil Kapoor in the industry, told Mumbai Mirror, “I am making a film called Bol Bachchan with myself and Amitabh Bachchan’s duplicate in the lead roles. It is based on farmer suicides. I have already started shooting for it.”
Needless to say, Aarif Khan was upset when he realised that AMPTPP had given the title to Ashtavinayak for Rohit Shetty’s Ajay Devgn-Abhishek Bachchan starrer. “When I wanted to renew the title for the fourth year, AMPTPP refused. When I have begun shooting, how can they give the title to Ashtavinayak?” he complained.
However, Ratan Jain AMPTPP President explained that the title has not been given to Ashtavinayak. It is with the association itself. He said, “Aarif Khan’s claims are wrong.
The title was with him for three years. We have a mandate that if the person does not start shooting the particular film then we can give the title to the next party. If he has begun shooting then he has to produce evidence.
We had a meeting with him and told him so. We are waiting for his evidence. Ashtavinayak is the first party in waiting. If he can’t provide the evidence then the title can be given to Ashtavinayak.” The official spokesperson of Ashtavinayak, however, refused to comment.
December 29, 2011 at 9:40 PM
“Bol Bachchan is not a remake of the original Golmaal, but an adaptation. The treatment of the film is very different. Ajay Devgn plays the role of the boss (Utpal Dutt’s role) in the film,”
http://www.hindustantimes.com/Entertainment/Bollywood/Dhoom-3-will-be-Aamir-s-best-Abhishek/Article1-788776.aspx
January 12, 2012 at 9:48 AM
Abhishek gets going with Bol Bachchan
By Joginder Tuteja, Jan 12, 2012 – 14:48 IST
Abhishek Bachchan Call it Karmic cycle but seems like the film that would pretty much elevate Abhishek Bachchan’s fortunes for better is Bol Bachchan. Other than the fact that the film looks highly promising due to it being an official remake of Amol Palekar starrer Golmaal and also features Ajay Devgn in the lead, it has one important element that should make Abhishek breathe easy – Rohit Shetty.
“Abhishek was more or less down and out when he acted in Rohit’s debut film Zameen. He was reeling from half a dozen major flops like Kuch Na Kaho, Mumbai Se Aaya Mera Dost, Haan Maine Bhi Pyaar Kiya, Bas Itna Sa Khwab Hai, Dhaai Akshar Prem Ke and Tera Jadoo Chal Gaya. Not many trusted him to deliver goods but along with Rohit and Ajay, he saw some respite in Zameen. The film wasn’t a massive hit but at least allowed Abhishek an extended innings”, informs an industry observer.
Immediate results were seen, what with Abhishek hitting a purple patch and coming up with a string of films that were either critically acclaimed or were commercial successes.
“Call it a coincidence but in an industry like Bollywood where superstitions rule, one can’t ignore the fact that Abhishek had a fabulous innings once he worked with Rohit and Ajay”, says a source, “After Zameen, he saw good critical acclaim coming with Yuva, Guru and Phir Milenge. Also, he had some of his continued commercial successes arriving soon after in the form of Dhoom, Sarkar, Bunty Aur Babli, Dus, Bluffmaster and Dhoom 2. Yes, there was an occasional flop like Umrao Jaan but still a success rate of over 80% was during this time period. You can’t negate such facts as numbers speak for themselves.”
No wonder, Abhishek would be indeed hoping (and believing) that Bol Bachchan actually does the trick for him. Post Paa (2009), he has been hunting for a box office success and Rohit’s commercial bent of mind is expected to work in his favour.
“Rohit thinks commercial and has given two back to back blockbusters in Singham and Golmaal 3. His Bol Bachchan is expected to be a laugh riot and while the film is carrying tremendous reports, it should also give a great push to Abhishek’s innings”, an industry veteran adds, “The very fact that Dhoom 3 and Dostana 2 – all set to be sure shot successes – would be Abhishek’s next two releases after Bol Bachchan pretty much establishes one’s faith in Rohit being a game changer here.”
Abhishek would concur as well!
January 12, 2012 at 9:49 AM
LOL, there really is a theory for everything. So Zameen sets the ball rolling, not Yuva! ha!
On a more serious note there were a few films predating Yuva where people were starting to like him. Zameen might have been one of those but I’d say moreso LoC and KNK.
But hey it’s not a bad reinvention pitch given it has his name in the title!
February 25, 2012 at 11:45 PM
satyam:
zameen did well in interirors but like yuva walked away with most of acclaim( and both had ajay’s presence) but in a way it established rohit shetty who also worked as ad for major sahab which was an ab corp movie
also ranbeer singh also was involved in the post productrion of bunty and bubli and his father is known to have produced band baaja baarat
only two outsiders who have made big in last few years are akshay and srk and both had their godfathers….akshay in second half of his career by rk lobby and srk the johar/yashraj one in the first half ….
February 26, 2012 at 9:15 AM
that’s true.. Zameen didn’t do too badly..
February 25, 2012 at 11:28 PM
Tough schedules for Abhishek Bachchan
Subhash K Jha | Feb 25, 2012, 12.53PM IST
Abhishek Bachchan is going through tough schedules. Even as Amitabh Bachchan returned home from hospital, his maternal grandmother Indira Bhaduri is now said to be in another hospital, giving him two major reasons to stay put in Mumbai.
These days, the actor is shooting out of Mumbai, in Wai for Rohit Shetty’s ” Bol Bachchan”. He also likes to be by his elders’ side, so his schedule is under tremendous pressure.
“Every day Abhishek commutes between Wai and Mumbai. He leaves early morning for Wai, packs up shooting by evening, drives back…its a good five hours drive.
“He rushes home to see his father and then his Nani in hospital before heading home to catch a few moments with his daughter and wife (in that order nowadays). If he’s lucky he catches Baby Bachchan awake for a bit,” said a source.
Without much sleep, Abhishek returns to Wai early morning. But he sails through the shoot of the comedy film.
“Laughter is the last thing on Abhishek’s mind. But he’s going through the comic scenes with Ajay Devgn with do-or-die determination,” the source added.
Ajay is going out of his way to accommodate Abhishek’s packed schedule.
“He waits without a murmur for Abhishek to get ready. He’s even offered to postpone the shooting until things get normal at the Bachchans’. But Abhishek insists on carrying on,” said the source.
March 4, 2012 at 7:24 PM
My film needs no brain exercise: Rohit Shetty
Rohit Shetty is gearing up to release his next film, the comedy-action-drama “Bol Bachchan”, which is 95% complete. Produced by Shree Ashtavinayak Cinevision Ltd and Devgn Films and presented by Fox Star Studios, it stars Ajay Devgn, Abhishek Bachchan, Asin Thottumkal and Prachi Desai, and will release on July 6. Rohit gives us a sneak peek into the film:
What made you choose “Bol Bachchan” after “Singham”?
After “Singham”, I wanted to do a light-hearted comedy. There are lots of characters in the film, and though it has comedy in it, it’s more of a family entertainer with drama, action and emotions. We have taken the basic idea from Hrithikesh Mukherjee’s “Gol Maal” after taking the rights, and the rest is completely different.
How different is it from “Gol Maal”?
You can call it a new film altogether. There are many new characters, including that of Archana Puran Singh, Paresh, and Krushna Abhishek and VIP from the TV show “Jubilee Comedy Circus”. Abhishek and his character’s (called Abbas Ali aka Abhishek Bachchan in the film) mannerisms will be one of the highlights. The plot is interesting and the narrative is simple. It’s a no brain-exercise film; just come and enjoy it. We also have a few high-octane action sequences, which wasn’t there in “Gol Maal”.
Is it true that Ajay’s character is not like Utpal Dutt’s in “Gol Maal”?
Yes. Even though he plays a pehelwaan, Ajay’s character (called Prithviraj Raghuvanshi) is the simplest and most innocent in the film. Almost everyone lies to him and keeps taking him for a ride.
Between Abhishek and Ajay’s characters, which is your favorite?
I find both the characters very lovable. Ajay is a cute, adorable pehelwaan while Abhishek lies to him and starts working for him. Abhishek’s flexible humour and the mannerisms that he has added himself are hilarious. The chemistry between them is amazing. They are great friends off screen too so there’s a lot of chemistry on screen.
You have cast Abhishek after long…
We never had a brainstorming session to cast Abhishek. When we started writing the script, we decided to take Abhishek as he suited the character best. Also, the film is called “Bol Bachchan” and in the film his character is called Abhishek Bachchan. Abhishek is a great actor. He handles humor and comic scenes very well.
What’s special about the film?
We’ve shot in Jaipur, and currently we are shooting in Wai. There’s hand-to-hand combat, buses and cars blowing up and lots of emotions and fun! The kids won’t come out disappointed. “Bol Bachchan” is full-on entertainment and clean, typical Rohit Shetty film for the family.
http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/bollywood/news-interviews/My-film-needs-no-brain-exercise-Rohit-Shetty/articleshow/12133591.cms
March 4, 2012 at 7:33 PM
Annihilator,
This was posted in another Bol Bachchan thread. But, no harm done.
April 1, 2012 at 12:15 AM
Rohit Shetty plans to rope in Big B in his next
Mumbai: The Bollywood grapevine is buzzing with rumours about Amitabh Bachchan shooting for his next film, towards the end of April. Industry sources reveal that the actor could feature in a song in Ajay Devgn’s next release, also featuring Abhishek Bachchan in the lead. The 69-year-old legend had been resting after two abdominal surgeries earlier this February and recently returned to face the camera for a promo of the upcoming Indian Premiere League.
According to our source, director Rohit Shetty has five days of shoot left, including a song. “The song features all the principal actors — Ajay Devgn, Abhishek, Asin Thottumukal and Prachi Desai. Someone suggested getting Amitji to also feature in this song, as it’s a very lively and foot tapping number. Someone else in the team also suggested getting the actor to introduce the film to the audience,” said our source.
However, another source associated with Rohit Shetty, pointed out, “It is still too early to say anything about any special appearances. Only after things are finalized, can something be said for sure.”
In pics: Amitabh Bachchan flies a kite in Ahmedabad
IBNLive
About the film
It is a remake of Hrishikesh Mukherjee’s 1970 cult comedy, Gol Maal. Interstingly, Abhishek Bachchan shares his real name with his character in the film.
April 2, 2012 at 7:21 AM
note how if this news is true it confirms a great deal of what I’ve been saying about this film and the Bachchan signature in general.
April 2, 2012 at 8:26 AM
satyam, i have a strong feeling that ‘bol bachchan’ will be a blockbuster and abhishek will rise like a phoenix(but let’s keep our fingers crossed). but all said and done, he needs to have a solo hit to cement his status. it can be ‘businessman remake’. but sumhow i do not think ramu has the right sensibilties to direct a full-fledged masala entertainer