what we are reading – EightandHalf
Trust Mid-day to spot what others dont! Here is the Pic Of The Day (POTD), Aamir Khan with his butt chair and his fingers doing the tricks. One up in the nose, the other down the base. Clicked during one of the promotional events of 3 Idiots.
Pic courtesy : Mid-day!
Is it intentional because it makes headlines and grabs eyeballs ? Or its all because of the concept! Since last few years Aamir Khan’s tv comercials have been discussed and dissected more for his looks than anything else. Product, brand, acting, shooting – everything takes a backseat. Here is the latest Tata Sky tvc in which Aamir plays a ventriloquist and has a puppet in his hand.
Aamir’s look and character is based on Ramadas Padhye, India’s well know ventriloquist. If you are interested to know more about the tvc, here’s a video on the making of the commercial.
And sometimes it seems like Aamir is obsessed about his looks. In a Tata Innova tv commercial, he appeared in six different looks, enacting six popular characters from his six different films. Rang De Basanti, Ghulam, Dil Chahta Hai, Rangeela, Lagaan and Sarforash. If you havent seen it yet, click the play button.
We know that the header and the pic on the left corner is gross injustice to the director of the film Anusha Rizvi, but we also know that when the film will release it will be marketed as a film from Aamir Khan Productions. Because thats the name which sells the tickets! The film has been produced by Aamir Khan. Anusha used to work with english news channel NDTV 24X7 before turning filmmaker and is now ready with her debut film titled The Falling.
The film stars Raghuvir Yadav, Onkar Das , Nowazuddin , Naseeruddin Shah and Aamir Bashir. Weekly film newspaper Screen has published the story/plot/synopsis of the film. To quote…
The Falling, is not just a take on farmer suicide but also on media’s obsession with ‘breaking news’ and publicity-hungry politicians. While Raghuvir Yadav plays the role of a farmer who announces his suicide days in advance, Nawaz (last seen in New York and Dev D ) essays the role of an aspiring hotshot reporter who decides to go town with Yadav’s announcement. His news catches the attention of news channels and politicians, which in turn results in Yadav’s character failing to commit suicide. The story’s irony lies in the fact that Nawaz’s character, which unknowingly acts as a catalyst in saving the farmer’s life, kills himself after he finds himself disagreeing with the ethical standards being practised by certain sections of the media. Interestingly, while shooting across homes, fields and roads at Badwai village near Bhopal, the unit managed to keep reporters, shutterbugs as well as locals at bay.
You can read the news item here also. The film’s shooting is complete but the release date has not been announced.
Whats wrong with Rajkumar Hirani ? Or is it only us ? Why is he hellbent on proving that he got David Dhawan DNA in abundance ? The first promo looked so tacky and now even the first song looks the same! Have a look.
Music is by Shantanu Moitra and lyrics by Swanand Kirkire. The film stars Aamir Khan, Kareena Kapoor, R Madhavan, Sharman Joshi & Boman Irani and is produced by Vidhu Vinod Chopra. And for the synopsis of the film click here.
The synopsis of RajKumar Hirani’s new film 3 Idiots is out on its official website. The film is produced by Vidhu Vinod Chopra and stars Aamir Khan, Kareena Kapoor, R Madhavan and Sharman Joshi.
Boman Irani, Mona Singh, Jaaved Jaffery and Pareekshit Sahani are also in the film. Its written By RajKumar Hirani & Abhijaat Joshi, has music by Shantanu Moitra and lyrics by Swanand Kirkire.
And here is the story/plot/synopsis of the film…
Two friends embark on a request for a lost buddy. On this journey they encounter a long forgotten bet, a wedding they must crash and a funeral that goes impossibly out of control.
As they make their way through the perilous landscape, another journey begins: their inner journey through memory lane and the story of their friend–the irrepressible free- thinker Rancho[Aamir Khan], who in his unique way, touches and changes their lives.
It is a story of their hostel days that swings between Rancho college romance with the spirited Pia [Kareena], and his clash with an oppressive mentor[Boman Irani].
Finally, in misty mountains of unparalleled beauty, the friends[R Madhavan and Sharman Joshi] find the key to the secret that they seek.
3 Idiots is a comedy of ideas that is as provocative as it is funny, as wildly entertaining as it is insightful. A laugh-riot that talks about the most important of human pursuits: self-actualization.
A new still of Three Idiots (3 Idiots) is out. The film is directed by Raj Kumar Hirani, produced by Vidhu Vinod Chopra and stars Aamir Khan, Kareena Kapoor, R Madhavan and Sharman Joshi.
The pic comes with a punchline that reads “Jab Life ho out of control, toh seeti bajaa ke bol! Its on the back side, not visible in the pic. We wonder if this is Hirani’s Jadoo ki jhappi for 3 Idiots!
Think this pic will be used for the cover of music cds. And the pic is spot the bum contest! See if you get the bums right!
If you like Chetan Bhagat or if you think he is the best thing to happen to desi writing or if you are desperately waiting for his next book Two States, then this place is injurious to you health. Kindly move on to next blog!
In Bollywood and Mumbai’s first class train compartements, people read only two authors. Chetan Bhagat and Paulo Coehlo. People have only two favourite books – The Alchemist and Five Point Someone. And I hate the smell of both the books! Chetan Bhagat is the shittiest thing to happen in desi writing in recent time. He is, what i call, potty writer! You read it while doing potty, finish it by the time your potty is over and then use it as tissue paper! Pure junk like McDonald’s and priced also at the same range! If someone is willing to sign my cousin who is in 5th standard, do let me know, he can also write the same.
No imagination, no thought, bad writing. Period. But too much of publicity! The three books by him are three mistakes of his life! And according to news reports, Raj Kumari Hirani’s Three Idiots is based on Chetan Bhagat’s Five Point Someone. WTF!! How is that possible ? I could not digest the news. Spent sleepless nights. How could Hirani do it ?
Its official! Vidhu Vinod Chopra bought the rights of the book. Bus aur kya! Chetan Bhagat went on promotional over drive. Some million interviews on how the next Aamir Khan film is based on his book and blah blah blah. Pics in some million poses and more!
I was surprsied, confiirmed it and found that its just the setting and nothing beyond that. But on one side it was me and the other side it was Chetan Bhagat and his million interviews. Nobody was willing to believe me that VVC and Hirani bought the rights only to be safe, so that nobody can question them later on.
Finally, Raj Kumar Hirani has clarified in this interview (read the second last question. hav copy pasted it here also) to Mumbai Mirror that the film and the book is only 5% similar! Yes, just five percent!
Q. How true are you keeping 3 Idiots to the book by Chetan Bhagat Five Point Someone?
A. 3 Idiots is inspired from the book but it is completely different. I would say just five per cent of it is the same. Books and films are different. So the moment you decide to pick up a book and make a film as it is, it will be a disaster. It’s a nice book, but it’s anecdotal and films can’t be anecdotal. It has to have a story. The reason I mention this is because people should not go to the theatre thinking, we are going to watch Five Point Someone and later find out that it’s a completely different film.
Game over, Mr Bhagat! Am much relieved. Now can that potty writer Chetan Bhagat just shut the fuck up! Enough of him and his mistakes!
UPDATE (1st Jan 2010) – Click here to read all the details and the dope about the credit controversy of 3 Idiots. Vidhu Vinod Chopra VS Chetan Bhagat.
Well, thats the rumour doing the rounds.
It seems Danny Boyle will present Anurag Kashyap’s next film titled Bombay Velvet (BV). Its a period flick set in the early 1940’s Mumbai. According to this report in Mid-day, Aamir Khan has already heard the narration of the film but still to give his nod to the project.
What we know is that Bombay Velvet is planned as a triology and will be produced by Studio18.
The other casting news is about Sanjay Leela Bhansali’s next titled My Friend Pinto. The film will be produced by Bhansali and will star Prateik Babbar. It will be directed by debutant Raghav Dar who has assissted Mani Ratnam and Abbas Tyrewala.
You can read the full report here. And since this report is by Subhash K Jha, who is known to be close to Bhansali, you can trust this newsbit.
First it was Shah Rukh Khan’s My Name is Khan , which Fox Star bagged for Rs 100 crore. Not sure about the exact details yet but the deal is confirmed. And now the exclusive dope on Aamir Khan’s next – we have got to know that Aamir Khan’s 3 Idiots (Three Idiots) have been bagged by Studio 18 for Rs 85 cr! Woohoo! 3 Idiots is directed by Raj Kumar Hirani, produced by Vidhu Vinod Chopra and stars Aamir Khan, Kareena Kapoor, R Madhavan and Sharman Joshi.
Except Music, Studio18 has got all the rights of 3 Idiots (Three Idiots) for Rs 85 crore. Music rights is with T-Series. So, if we add 10-15 cr more for music rights, it will be equal to 95-100 crore. Shah Rukh Khan & Aamir Khan on par! Fox Star and Sony was also interestd in it. But two factors contributed towards Studio18 bagging the rights. Aamir Khan’s personal and professional equation with Studio18.
Aamir is close to Vandana Malik, head of Studio18, whose daughter Avantika Malik is Imran Khan’s girlfriend. And professionally Aamir was happy with the box office result of Ghajini, which was distributed by Studio 18. Ghajini was sold for Rs 90 cr. And so Aamir made sure that Studio18 gets the preference for 3 Idiots.
3 Idiots will release on the last week of december as the date has proved lucky for Aamir Khan since last two years. First it was Taare Zameen Par, then Ghajini and now Aamir wants to stick to the same date. So, come what may, 3 Idiots will release on the last friday (25th december) of the year.
Its one of the most anticipated films of the year! And finally here is the first look of the film! The trailer of Rajkumar Hirani’s Three Idiots starring Aamir Khan, Kareena Kapoor, R Madhavan, Sharman Joshi & Boman Irani. The film is produced by Vidhu Vinod Chopra, has music by Shantanu Moitra and lyrics by Swanand Kirkire. 
F.i.g.h.t C.l.u.b 