It indeed is ironic that Akshay Kumar who is one of the stars who has popularized Jeans as an attire and symbolizing youth is being tormented reportedly for an obscene gesture while promoting a new brand of Jeans. In fact Jeans as attire had a late debut in the Hindi films but after it got an endorsement from our film stars it became the attire symbolic of youth and energy.
It was the advent of Jeans that led to development of notion of health conscious and to have a toned body. It also had its rub-off effect on the female actors as well, and if a fault line were to be discerned that really swayed a nation in a big way and pushed it on to a journey of Jeans discovery, the campaign of Coke involving Aishwarya Rai could be one such fault line. Dressed simply in a white shirt and Jeans she apart from swaying Aamir Khan off his feet was able to literally swoon the whole country as well.
From the previous generation it was in SHOLAY that Jeans made its debut in a big way as attire that had element of rebel and exuberance of youth written on it, and it got manifest in the characters portrayed by Amitabh Bachchan and Dharmendra. As a matter of fact in SHOLAY for the first time probably in Hindi cinema, Big B had packaged a pair of Jeans with a Black shirt and it became a fashion statement.
As the generational shift acquired its mooring, Jeans slowly weeded out hose pipe pants and flaring bell bottoms, and it became the fabric which defined the chutzpah of the character. In ANDHA KANNON after a long time Amitabh Bachchan had returned to Jeans in a big way, and again the element of casual that he had brought to his character of Jaanisaar Khan got manifested in a big way through Jeans as well.
The generation of Big B probably did not patronize Jeans in a big way owing probably to the fact that this generation was at the cusp of nationalism, where Jeans still was considered as western attire.
But as the new generation made its debut in Hindi cinema, brought on the profuse dozes of Abba, BoneyM, Pink Floyd and Woodstock, Jeans came to make their presence felt in a big way in the world of Hindi cinema. The same kind of paradigm shift was noticed in case of the female actors as well, and experimentation with Jeans as an attire by the female actors also allowed them to experiment with their looks as well. If there was one film that can be considered as a film that promoted Jeans in a big way it was JAANBAAZ and it can always be a matter of debate whether Dimple Kapadia looked more beautiful in a Jeans in JAANBAAZ or in SAAGAR. Jury would go in favor of JAANBAAZ. Incidentally, Feroze Khan can be considered as the father figure of Jeans in Indian films, as right from the time when he made DHARMATAMA, followed by QUARBANI and YALGAAR, to JANBAAZ, his films are a living tribute to the humble Jeans in its most alluring manifestations.
It is a tribute to the fascination of Jeans that a film by name of JEANS was made in Hindi and the female character in this film was enacted by Aishwarya Rai sheer coincidence or fortuitousness, decision is left to sail in the wind. Even a song was written on Jeans epitomizing its association with youth, “Purani Jeans Aur Guitar”…
Jeans as it represents youth, the sense of aghast that is being experienced by the purists, may be condoned as an indulgence and exuberance of youth and nothing else.
Jeans represents youth and youth is allowed to err sometimes, but the magnanimity of the elders is to condone it and allow moving on.
When 8×10 TASVEER would be releasing this Friday it would be one more addition in the vast repertoire of Hindi films, which have used photographs as the linking element for continuity of the film. Hindi films from quite a long time have reverted back to photographs and have used as a continuity of narrative, building up to an exciting climax.
In view of the interest that is being generated in using photographs as a base for construction of history photographs have indeed risen into eminence as a vital tool for construction of history, all over the world, and in India as well. It would not be out of context to inform that Asit Sen the comedian of yester years had a famous photography studio in Gorakhpur, in UP. Lets then rewind to the world of photographs.
COOLIE: Manmohan Desai was indeed one of the futurists who had the vision to understand its importance and he used it with panache in this film. The romance of Rishi Kapoor and Shoma Anand when it blossomed in the adulthood was on account of the pieces of a snap that both of them had from their childhood. The reference to it was in fact made in the song as well “Tasveer ka ek tukda tera paas hai aur ek mere pass”.
NASEEB: Manmohan Desai again returned back to the importance of photograph as the element to bring about a turn in the flow of the movie and he did it again in NASEEB. When Amjad Khan on the verge of death handed over the photograph of Pran’s innocence to Rishi Kapoor it culminated in the climax of the film.
JAANE BHI DO YAARON: One of the biggest laugh riots ever produced by the Hindi cinema, it brought out in distinct relief what important role a photographer can ply in the day-to-day life, more so if it is political life.
TRIDEV: Director Rajiv Rai had Shekhar Suman in the role of a photographer who was killed in the film as he had become privy through his camera to a discussion that had brought the existence of Amrish Puri into question
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GARAM MASALA: John Abraham and Akshay Kumar starrer film tried to explore the world of fashion photography in a humorous manner, but in a subtle manner also commented on the nature of job that fashion photographers handle these days.
DELHI 6: The character of Cyrus Sahukar as a photographer in this film again went on to underline the dubious halo that photographers have come to associate with their image.
GHAJINI: Aamir Khan’s mega hit film again revolved around construction of the past based on the photographs that he used to click; it was a sort of reconstructing the history of self through the photographs.
AA DEKHEN ZARA: Neil Nitin Mukesh and Bipasha Basu starrer film took on its own after discovery of a camera by Neil in the movie.
Priyadarshan, the director who experiments with different genres of films, is now planning to make film titled Grrr. He says that this film will have the swamps and jungles of Sunderbans and deals with man-eaters.
Priyadarshan says that he will touch many issues in the film and the film will be akin to Steven Spielberg’s Jaws. Amitabh Bachchan plays the role which is more like that of Jim Corbett, the hunter-naturalist who wrote The Man-eaters of Kumaon.
The shooting of the film is expected to start soon.
Director R Balki of Cheeni Kum fame will start shooting for the film Pa which will feature Amitabh Bachchan, Abhishek Bachchan and Vidya Balan. This film is being produced by AB Corporation.
The announcement of the film was made last year but delayed because of the illness of Amitabh and other commitments of Abhishek. Moreover, Tabu, who performed splendidly in Cheeni Kum, is supposed to be in the film, but for reasons unknown she skipped the role only to be replaced by Vidya Balan.
The film will start its first 25-day schedule on March 2 in Mumbai and then at other locales in North India and outside the country.
AR Rahman, the Mozart of Madras, has won two Oscars at the 81st Academy Awards in Los Angeles.
A.R. Rahman won the two awards for original score and best song along with Gulzar for Slumdog Millionaire. Rahman perfomed his compositions O Saya and Jai Ho on the stage after he accepted the awards.
India’s Resul Pokutty won the best sound mixing Oscar for Slumdog Millionaire along with Ian Tapp and Richard Pryke.
India-based Smile Pinky won the best short documentary.
Amitabh Bachchan on Wednesday went to the suburban Bandra residence of Shah Rukh Khan’s residence in Bandra, Mumbai and wished him speedy recovery from his shoulder surgery.
SRK underwent the surgery to repair the tear in the main muscle of his left shoulder at the Breach Candy hospital on February 16 and was discharged on Tuesday.
Earlier, Bachchan had a telephonic conversation with Khan during which he told the actor not to take the post- surgery period lightly and avoid any kind of activity.
Nominations to different categories for the 54th Filmfare awards for Hindi films have been announced. South Indian A.R. Murugadoss has been nominated for the Best Director category for the film Ghajini. Aamir Khan and Asin also get nominations for Best actor and actress categories for the same film as also AR Rahman for music.
Hereunder are the nominations for the categories of Best Film, Actor, Actress, Director and Music Director.
Best Film
Dostana
Ghajini
Jodhaa Akbar
Rab Ne Bana Di Jodi
Jaane Tu… Ya Jaane Na
Rock On!!
Best Director
A.R. Murugadoss – Ghajini
Abhishek Kapoor – Rock On!!
Aditya Chopra – Rab Ne Bana Di Jodi
Ashutosh Gowariker – Jodhaa Akbar
Madhur Bhandarkar – Fashion
Neeraj Pandey – A Wednesday!
Best Actor
Aamir Khan – Ghajini
Abhishek Bachchan – Dostana
Hrithik Roshan – Jodhaa Akbar
Akshay Kumar – Sinng Is Kinng
Shah Rukh Khan – Rab Ne Bana Di Jodi
Naseeruddin Shah – A Wednesday!
Best Actress
Aishwarya Rai – Jodhaa Akbar
Anushka Sharma – Rab Ne Bana Di Jodi
Asin Thottumkal – Ghajini
Kajol – U Me Aur Hum
Priyanka Chopra – Fashion
Best Music Director
A R Rahman – Ghajini
A R Rahman – Jaane Tu… Ya Jaane Na
A R Rahman – Jodhaa Kabar
Pritam – Race
Shankar-Ehsaan-Loy – Rock On!!
Vishal-Shekhar – Dostana
Bollywood actress Vidya Balan appeared in a glamourised western look in films like Heyy Baby and Kismat Connection. Now she is putting on a deglam look for her next venture with Vishal Bhardwaj. She plays the role of a poor woman in a remote village in this film.
The star cast of the film includes Naseeruddin Shah and Arshad Warsi. The film goes on floors soon.
Vishal had been a music director and composed music for Gulzar’s Maachis among others. After donning the role of a director he made films like Omkara and Maqbool . He is presently shooting Kaminay with Shahid Kapur.
Sushmita Sen starrer Karma Aur Holi, earlier known as Karma Confessions and Holi, an international film venture has been co-produced by Drena DeNiro, daughter of Oscar winning Hollywood actor-director-producer Robert DeNiro.
This film is written and directed by Manish Gupta, who earlier wrote Sarkar and directed The Stoneman Murders.
This film’s star cast includes Randeep Hooda, Rati Agnihotri, Suresh Oberoi, Deepal Shaw, super model Naomi Campbell, rapper Sticky Fingaz, Vincent Pannetta and others.
Madhur Bhandarkar has denied the rumours that his next movie Jail has been inspired by actor Sanjay Dutt’s real life incidents.
However, known for always maintaining authenticity in his films like Chandni Bar, Page 3, Corporate and Fashion, the director is trying to get permission to shoot the film in real prisons.
The film is about a middle-class family boy working in the corporate sector and how after one sudden incident, he goes to jail and how copes with that situation.
The multiple National Award-winning director Madhur Bhandarkar signed up Neil Nitin Mukesh and Mugdha Godse to play the lead roles in his film Jail.
Firoz Nadiadwala, known for films like Welcome and Hera Pheri, is now planning an international film titled Jewel of India with a budget of Rs 300 crore. This film will be directed by Hollywood’s Rob Cohen who made films like The Fast and The Furious, Dragon Heart, Stealth and XXX
Jewel of India will star Amitabh Bachchan and Katrina Kaif. The star cast may include the producer’s favourite stars Akshay Kumar and Suniel Shetty.
Firoz is the son of veteran producer A.G Nadiadwala and related to producers A.A. Nadiadwala, A.K. Nadiadwala and Sajid Nadiadwala. All of them have been in film production since the last four decades.
Sajid Nadiadwala is making Kambhakt Ishq with Akshay Kumar, Kareena Kapoor, Brandon Routh, Denise Richards, Arnold Schwarzenegger and Sylvester Stallone.
Ram Gopal Varma announced his next project Rann a study of the contemporary media scenario. Amitabh Bachchan, Riteish Deshmukh, Sudeep, Paresh Rawal and Suchitra Krishnamoorthy among many others are part of the cast.
Intially, Amitabh’s AB Corp and Reliance ADAG’s Big Pictures were to produce this film. There were talks also with other big production houses.
Finally, D Suresh Babu, son of D Rama Naidu and the chief of Suresh Productions, a Guinness record holding production house, has decided to produce RGV’s Rann.
Suresh says that he has been waiting for an appropriate film to make his entry into Bollywood and he has chosen RGV’s Rann. Surely, the success of Geetha Arts Ghajini is having its influence on Tollywood’s production houses.
Two motorcycle-borne miscreants hurled a bottle of kerosene at actor Shah Rukh Khan’s Bandra residence, Mannat, at around 2.30 am on Friday. Nobody was injured.
Security personnel at Khan’s bungalow were unable to note the registration number of the bike in the darkness. A complaint was lodged at the Bandra police station.
According to reports, a fundamentalist group was upset with the use of certain words in the song, Marjaani, marjaani, featuring Khan and Kareena Kapoor in the film Billu.
On Friday morning a group of protesters gathered outside Bandra’s G-7 cinema complex, where Billu was being screened, and broke glass panes and tore away posters.
