Pak cinegoers now awaiting release of 'Dangal', 'Raees'

Karachi, Feb 2, 2017, (PTI)

Pakistani cinemagoers are eagerly awaiting the release of the Shah Rukh Khan-Mahira Khan starrer "Raees" and Aamir Khan's "Dangal" in cinema halls after the ban on screening of Indian films ended officially.

The ban ended with the screening of the Hrithik-Roshan starrer "Kaabil" yesterday and a large crowds showed up at the multiplexes. The ban on screening of Indian films ended after Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif formed a special committee headed by the minister for information and broadcasting to look into the matter.

The committee recommended allowing import and screening of Indian films again after they were cleared by the ministry of commerce, ministry of information and central censor board.

Nadeem Mandviwalla a well-known cinema owner, distributor and producer said that after "Kaabil", there are other films from India which are with the Central Censor Board for clearance.

"Raees is one of them and everyone is eager for its release." A local distributor said that the Distribution Club was looking to import and screen all those Indian movies which were released in the last months and did good business.

"This includes Aamir Khan's 'Dangal' while 'Ae Dil Hai Mushkil' has already been passed by the censors and will be screened from February 3 in cinemas," he said.

The Pakistani cinema owners had voluntarily decided to suspend screening of Indian films after Pakistani actors were stopped from performing in India last September owing to escalating tensions between the two countries.

Saleem Ahmed, a manager at the single screen Capri Cinema in the bustling Saddar commercial area, said that cinema owners were now looking to recoup the losses they suffered in the last few months after the ban on Indian films.

Religious leader and politician, Maulana Fazlur Rehman, who dominates the Kashmir committee in the Parliament has called for a complete ban on screening of Indian films.

Varun Dhawan wants to be known as entertaining actor

Mumbai, Feb 2, 2017, (PTI)

Actor Varun Dhawan, who has had a great innings in Bollywood so far, says his biggest nightmare would be when people don't enjoy his films.

Varun made his acting debut with "Student of the Year" and has managed to deliver hit films like "Main Tera Hero", "Badlapur" and "Humpty Sharma Ki Dulhania" among others. His next two releases "Badrinath Ki Dulhania" and "Judwaa 2" look promising.

"I am never confident about my films. I believe in one thing that my father has taught me and that's hard work.. and there is no substitute for it," Varun told reporters here at the trailer launch of "Badrinath Ki Dhulania".

The actor is not in a hurry to change his comedic image as he believes he should be entertaining. "I don't do films or roles to change my image. My image should be this - Varun Dhawan does films that entertains the country. And entertainment can be anything negative, positive or horror.. everyone should be able to see my films. Karan Johar tells me my films should entertain everyone. My biggest nightmare is I am acting and people are yawning," he said.

The "Student of the Year" actor says he is a fan of all the Khans and they inspire him. "As an actor I am a fan of Govinda, three Khans, Hrithik Roshan and Akshay Kumar.. they have paved way for me to be an actor, they are my inspiration. I went to Gaiety, Galaxy (single screen theatres) and have enjoyed watching Salman Khan or Sanjay Dutt films," he said.

"These heroes do inspire me to be a hero on screen and somewhere in my performance they do play a part as they are my inspiration. I think every creative person gets inspired. You just have to choose the right person for inspiration. Govinda is a great person to get inspired by," he added.

The romantic-comedy, also starring Alia Bhatt, is produced by Karan Johar and is set to release on March 10.

Choosing a release date is becoming more challenging: Karan Johar

Mumbai, Feb 2, 2017, (PTI)

Filmmaker Karan Johar says he would never release his films during Eid which is the territory of superstar Salman Khan.

The Khan trio in Bollywood - Salman, Aamir and Shah Rukh - rule the festive period with their releases.

Salman mostly releases his films during Eid while SRK's movies hit cinema houses during Diwali and Aamir usually prefers to release his movies during Christmas.

"I don't want to (release films during Eid). That is owned by Salman Khan... We are here to release films so that we can optimise numbers. We have to look who is releasing a film before and after us and choose a right date accordingly," Karan told reporters here at the trailer launch of "Badrinath Ki Dulhania".

"We have to see lot of verticals before releasing a film. We have to strategies a release date, the post work of a film is very critical. The release date is becoming more challenging and we toy about it a lot," he said.

Starring Varun Dhawan and Alia Bhatt in the lead "Badrinath Ki Dulhania" will be released on Holi, March 1.

"We are releasing the film on Holi. It's my first festive release so I am very excited. We never get these days (festive dates). I will start from Holi and then move to Diwali, Eid," Varun said.

To which Karan jokingly said, "We will also clash."

Last Diwali Karan's romantic drama film "Ae Dil Hai Mushkil" featuring Ranbir Kapoor, Aishwarya Rai Bachchan and Anushka Sharma clashed with Ajay Devgn's "Shivaay".

Tamanaah's next Hindi film to be performance oriented

Mumbai, Feb 2, 2017, (PTI)

Tamanaah Bhatia believes her acting has not been highlighted in all the four Hindi films that she has done so far and says her next would see her in a performance-oriented role.
The 27-year-old actress is a prominent face in Tamil and Telegu films and her Bollywood projects include "Himmatwala", "Humshakals", "Entertainment" and the latest "Tutak Tutak Tutiya".

But in all these films Tamanaah hardly got a chance to show her acting prowess.
"I am listening to a lot of Hindi scripts now and hopefully I am going to make an announcement soon once I lock in the script. Till now whatever Hindi films I have done, my performance was not highlighted. The film that I am signing now will be more performance based," Tamanaah told PTI on the sidelines of Lakme Fashion Week here.

The actress is now focusing all her attention to the release of the second part of SS Rajamouli's magnum opus "Baahubali".

She will be reprising her role of Avanthika, the rebellious warrior in the second part and she assures that everyone will finally know "Why Kattappa kill Baahubali?"
"The film will be out in April. I am very excited about it. The first part has already garnered such a great response and piqued interest; we have got so much of love. I am looking forward to the audiences' reaction to this part."

"Baahubali: The Beginning", which was a bi-lingual film made in Tamil and Telegu and dubbed in Hindi became a runaway hit across the country thanks to its epic visual effects.

The immense success of the first part means that the expectation is much more for "Baahubali: The Conclusion" but Tamanaah says there is no pressure as the second part will do much better than the first.

"It was much harder in the first time. When we did the first part we didn't have any idea how the audience would react, especially because it was South Indian film which was dubbed in Hindi. But we got such a fantastic response. We had a better response in the north. I think the audience is waiting to watch the film. The second part is going to be better." 

'Godfather' behind-the-scenes movie in works

Los Angeles, Feb 2, 2017, (PTI)

HBO is developing "Godfather" behind-the-scenes film from Black List script.
Titled "Francis & the Godfather," the movie will chronicle the making of Francis Ford Coppola's 1972 feature adaptation of the novel by Mario Puzo, reported Variety.

The script is from screenwriter Andrew Farotte, who is revising his original screenplay that appeared on the 2015 Black List.

Mike Marcus, Doug Mankoff, and Andrew Spaulding will serve as executive producers on the project.

Peter Bart, who worked closely with Robert Evans and Coppola, will serve as a consultant.

"Francis & the Godfather" tells the behind-the-scenes story of the film’s creation, from Coppola joining the project to the casting of Al Pacino and Marlon Brando to dealings with the real-life New York mafia.

Released in 1972, "The Godfather" is largely regarded as one of the greatest feature films in American history. In 1973, the film won Academy Awards for best picture, for best actor and for adapted screenplay. 

Like the Khans, I want to do films for whole country: Varun

Mumbai, Feb 2, 2017, (PTI)

He may be just in the fifth year of his Bollywood career but Varun Dhawan already has his eyes set on the kind of films that the Khans do and he says just like them he also wants to star in projects which appeal to pan-Indian audiences.
The 29-year-old actor has done only Bollywood potboilers barring "Badlapur" and he consciously chooses the "masala" films because those are what people from all across the country can watch irrespective of states.

"It is conscious decision for me (to do masala films). We need our films to do well. And commercial films don't only mean masala. Commercial films also mean that they are films that everyone in the country can watch - people in Bihar can watch it, people in Maharashtra can watch it, people all over the country can watch it," Varun told reporters during an interview on the sidelines of Lakme Fashion Week.

"Sometimes we forget that in our country there are so many other people who are living and might have different preference. I am just trying to make that attempt which I think the Khans do wonderfully, they make films for the entire country. Also, Akshay Kumar and Hrithik Roshan. My attempt is to make a film which everyone can enjoy."

His fourth film was thriller "Badlapur", which was a far cry from what Varun did in his first three films -- "Student of the Year", "Main Tera Hero" and "Humpty Sharma Ki Dulhania".

Even though it was a departure from his happy-go-lucky on-screen image, his dark and mature performance was appreciated.

When asked if he would like to revisit the genre, Varun says, "100 per cent. In fact, by the end of the year there will be a surprise."

The actor is currently awaiting the release of "Badrinath Ki Dulhania" which is the second offering from the "Dulhaniya" franchise. Besides that Varun is also stepping into the shoes of Salman Khan for "Judwaa 2".

The film will be directed by Varun's father David Dhawan, who also helmed the first film which was about twin brothers Raja and Prem.

"It is a daunting thing. I am just going to put my head down and go into the film and not talk much of it. Anything I do is going to be less. I am just trying to create two characters which people can love." 

Pak officially ends ban on import of Indian movies

Islamabad, Feb 1, 2017 (PTI)

Pakistan has allowed the screening of Indian films months after it stopped issuing letters to let distribution companies import the movies. The decision to allow import of Indian films was taken after a government committee held consultations with various stakeholders and recommended the Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif to allow screening of Bollywood movies.

After approval by Sharif, the information ministry issued a letter late yesterday that the government is "pleased to continue the existing open policy to display all international movies (including Indian films) in Pakistani cinemas".

According to the letter, any importers interested to get an Indian movie will make a request to ministry of information which will issues a directive to the ministry of commerce to process the same.

It said that the importers will be allowed to screen movies only after approval from relevant censor boards of the province where the movie will be screened. After the government announcement, it is expected that "Kaabil" and "Raees" will be soon available on cinema screens to local viewers.

Earlier, the cinema owners said that their businesses dipped by 70 percent since the screening of Indian films was suspended in the wake of tension due to Uri attacks and 'surgical strikes' episode last year.