Andhranews

UTV has joined hands with not one, but two Hollywood production houses, Fox Searchlight and Will Smith’s Overbrook, along with Sony Pictures Entertainment. The agreement with the collaboration of Overbrook and Sony includes one live action English film and a CG animation film. The total value of the ambitious projects are estimated to be $37 million, the largest such commitment by any South Asian media major.

Speaking to this newspaper, UTV CEO Ronnie Screwvala said, “The two-movie deal emerged from a visit to India that Sony arranged for Smith and Lassiter in February 2006 to explore co-production possibilities, when they met with media bigwigs and key members of the creative community. As a result of the co-production agreement, UTV and Overbrook will develop films that will have a global reach and appeal. The first two projects will be a live-action film valued at $10 million and a CG animated motion picture at $20 million. Sony Pictures Entertainment has a first look deal for the two productions. According to the terms of the agreement, while UTV and Overbrook will co-produce the movies, SPE will distribute the movies worldwide, excluding India.”

He added, “As for Fox Searchlight, UTV will co-produce two films: I Think I Love My Wife starring Chris Rock, and the Mira Nair directed film The Namesake.” Fox Searchlight CEO Peter Rice said, “We are very eager to be partnering with UTV, a dynamic force in South Asian Media. Ronnie’s innovative vision parallels Searchlight’s and after working together on The Namesake, we jumped at the chance to collaborate again on our highly anticipated Chris Rock comedy I Think I Love My Wife.”

Hollywood superstar Will Smith said that India was the most remarkable place on earth and “its film industry always fascinated me”. Ronnie Screwvala further stated, “UTV is focused on collaborating with like-minded partners like Fox, Sony and Will Smith to produce entertainment for global audiences. For UTV, these projects are a big step in reaching key North American markets and expanding our presence globally.” He adds, “UTV has made the biggest commitment by any South Asian media major to international co-productions and we will continue to lead the way in this regard.”

A big film buff, Mridula Chandrashekhar is making her debut in Naksha which also happens to be director Sachin Bajaj’s first venture. Born and raised in Mumbai, this South Indian girl has been a professional model and has also displayed her skills in a music video with Upen Patel titled Sun Saiba Sun. “Working in Naksha has been quite an experience,” says Mridula.

“My scenes required me to shoot in Rohtang Pass at an height of 13,000 feet, while it was freezing. I went there alone without my parents. The entire unit was dressed in thermals and I was required to wear a skimpy dress as I was performing a seductive number along with Jackie Shroff. After every scene, people used to cover me with blankets. It was such a tough experience. I can think I can shoot in any weather now. The next day I shot on a truck wearing a backless top. The metal on the truck was literally biting through my skin,” she recounts.

This is not the first time that Mridula has been offered films. “I refused a lot of films and I was offered item numbers because I dance well. I’ve no regrets because I didn’t want to be slotted as an item girl,” she confesses. What made you sign Naksha, we ask her. “By fluke, I was holidaying in the US when I got a call from the producers. I met them and I liked the script. It’s Sachin’s first movie as a director. I feel he is very sophisticated and soft-spoken. In fact, Naksha will be my launching pad. I went with no expectations and yet, it was an overwhelming experience,” she says.

Mridula tells us that she has some actions scenes with Sameera in the film. “Yes, the climax scenes have us fighting. It was so good that I literally hit her by mistake. It was great working with Alan Amin, the action director,” she adds. Mridula is an adventurous person in real-life too. She has tried out sky diving and even jet skiing.

Incidentally, Mridula has also tried her hand at Tamil theatre when she was a child. “I was part of a theatre group. I have come from a rich cultural background so I was always inclined towards art. I have learnt Bharatnatyam from the Kanak Rele Institute,” she tells us.

What comes next after Naksha? “I want to cry on screen. I want to play a real strong character. I also plan to take up an acting course after this film. Of course, I can cry without glycerine, but yet, I feel I could have prepared more for the role. But in the immediate future, I am looking forward to participating in the South African Fashion Week with Manish Malhotra,” she says.

When it comes to telling a story, people often draw incidents from their own experiences and director Aditya Dutt’s Dil Diya Hai starring Emraan Hashmi, Ashmit Patel and Geeta Basra depicts love when one is young. “The film talks about the love that we have all experienced at some stage of our life. Of course, as seen in all Hindi films, I have added immense drama, and twists and turns to the film,” admits Aditya.

He reveals that all the three main characters in Dil Diya Hai have shades of grey. “None of the characters are completely positive or negative. That’s what sets the film apart from what we witness nowadays,” he says. Aditya says that his new venture, which is set in the UK, tells the love story that transpires between Emraan Hashmi who runs a travel business, and newcomer Geeta who comes to the UK as a tourist.

“There’s Ashmit who runs a nightclub where all illegal activities take place. The love triangle happens actually towards the end. The thrilling moments in the film keep it well paced,” the director tells us. But wasn’t it rumoured that Ashmit is playing a negative role in the film?
“Well, Ashmit’s character is called Kunal. He is very interesting and I really would not like to reveal much about it,” is Aditya’s response.

Was there any specific reason that he chose UK as the location? Aditya replies, “The script demanded a location which I would have got only in the UK. The nightclubs they have are something we cannot find in India.” “Also, I have observed that stars on outdoor locations are completely focused on their work. There are no outside hindrances that demand their attention. That helps to finish the work at a quicker pace,” he adds. Now that sounds like a smart director.

An angry partygoer is suing David and Victoria Beckham after accusing the celebrity couple of “snubbing” him at a party he paid to go to. Nightclub owner Dave West paid $180,000 at a charity auction for a ticket to the Beckhams’ pre-soccer World Cup party in May. But West refused to go to the Full Length and Fabulous bash after accusing the Beckhams’ staff of insulting him prior to the event.

West claims the staff talked down to him and warned him against mingling with the celebrity guests in a pre-party phone call. And now he wants the Beckhams to pay to the NSPCC (National Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Children) to compensate.

Tom Hanks has narrowly avoided a race row. The Da Vinci Code star was attending a party at lavish nightspot Tavern on the Green, in New York, when he reportedly told Alex Wong, the frontman for US rockers The Animators, that he “looked like one of those pedicab drivers”. According to onlookers the singer was shocked by the comment, but a spokesperson for Hanks, was quick to clarify the remark.

She explained to the New York Post newspaper, “He only meant that he was impressed with his physique because he was so muscular and lean like the guys who drive pedicabs all day.” The 49-year-old actor was recently forced to hire extra bodyguards over fears controversial movie The Da Vinci Code could put his family at risk from disgruntled Christian groups.

A source said at the time, “Tom and director Ron Howard try to play it all down, but religion is a very sensitive subject. There is no question that some people are very offended by elements of the story.”

Madonna wants to help save the world from an ecological meltdown by using a special Kabbalah water to dispose of nuclear waste. The Hung Up singer and her film director husband Guy Ritchie have reportedly lobbied with the British government and the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) with the idea to use the “mystical” liquid to treat the radioactive by-products of nuclear power.

It is claimed that the fluid has already worked when used in Russia on nuclear waste. The Kabbalah, a mystical off-shoot of Judaism, teaches followers that water can obtain magical powers through “meditations and the consciousness of sharing”.

Pete Doherty has promised his lover Kate Moss that he will kick heroin for good to be with her. The Babyshambles frontman, who is due to appear in court on seven charges of drugs possession later this week, insists he is determined to beat his addictions for his supermodel girlfriend. He said, “It took me a while to realise, but there are people who care about me so I’m doing it for them. No. I’m doing it for a special person who I want in my life forever, Kate.”

To help him stay off heroin, the troubled rocker has been fitted with a special implant, placed under the skin on his arm, to prevent him from craving the Class A drug. He told Scotland’s Daily Record newspaper, “I’m off the brown. Look, I’ve got this implant now.”
Pete and Kate rekindled their on and off romance earlier this month and engagement rumours were sparked after the catwalk queen was spotted with a jewel-encrusted band on her ring finger. However, the couple insist they are not engaged and have no plans to tie the knot anytime soon.

Meanwhile, Justin Timberlake has said that he respects Kate after she was caught snorting cocaine. The SexyBack singer has previously confessed to taking drugs, but he has now spoken out in support of the cocaine shamed supermodel. Justin, 25, told Fashion Rocks magazine, “I remember the first time it was reported that I smoked pot. I was like, ‘y’all don’t?’ That’s why, I sort of respect Kate Moss.”

Daniel Craig will star in two new James Bond films. The 38-year-old actor has agreed to reprise his role as the suave spy, but is being paid far less than his predecessor Pierce Brosnan, it has been reported. A source told Britain’s Sunday Mirror newspaper, “Daniel is very much a poor man’s 007. He’s facing an uphill battle to win over Bond fans before Casino Royale is even released, and it looks like producers got him slightly cheap.”

The source added, “For a role like this, you would actually expect him to get a lot more. Craig will receive £1.5 million for his first outing as the secret agent this November. The next film, set to be released in 2008, will see the actor bank £3 million. For his third appearance as Bond, Craig will pick up between £4 million and £4.5 million. Brosnan reportedly lost the role when he demanded £22 million to appear in Casino Royale.”

A spokesman for Craig said, “Daniel is very happy with the arrangements.” Meanwhile, Craig is terrified that James Bond fans will hate him. He recently said, ‘They hate me. They don’t think I’m right for the role. It’s as simple as that. They’re passionate about it, which I understand, but I do wish they’d reserve judgement.’”