Welcome Comes Back... Welcome Back

The team of Welcome is Back as the film is scheduled to release December,19th 2014.Producer Firoz A Nadiadwala recently announced Welcome Back,the sequel of his 2007 blockbuster ,with an all-new starcast including John Abraham,Shruti Haasan,Nana Patekar,Anil Kapoor , Paresh Rawal,Naseeruddin Shah,Dimple Kapadia,Shiney Ahuja and Ankita Srivastava.

Helmed by director Anees Bazmee ,who also directed the first installment of the franchise,the out-and-out entertainer promises to have audiences laughing off their seats with signature dialogues,great performances,some never-seen-before locales and an amusing narrative that will have you hooked on.

Confirming the news, producer Firoz A Nadiadwala says, “Welcome had released during Christmas in 2007 and the family audience made it a huge success and we are making every effort to make Welcome Back a successful film as well. The characters from the film like Majnu and Uday and their dialogues are still fresh in everyone’s mind and the sequel will be bigger and better than the prequel.”

Says the newest lead addition of the starcast, John Abraham, " I’m really excited to be part of this franchise and to be working alongside talented actors like Anil Kapoor, Nana Patekar and Paresh Rawal .”

Talking about reprising his role as Majnu bhai says Anil Kapoor, " I enjoyed playing Majnu Bhai in Welcome because of its madness and fun, and the audience loved it too. I hope and pray that the audience enjoys Majnu Bhai even more this time ".

Director Anees Bazmee says, “Releasing the film on 19^th makes sense as it is a Christmas week, which will guarantee maximum audience.It is a film that will have you laughing through the holidays.”

Produced by Firoz A Nadiadwala,Welcome Back directed by Anees Bazmee is scheduled to release 19th December 2014.

Review | QUEEN – A Perfect Film!

So the trailer was downright funny. The idea of a young Indian married lady going on her honeymoon all alone – downright whacky! The Punjabi flavour in the film’s first look – downright crazy! So when I walked into the cinema hall, I knew what I was going to get. Or did I?

QUEEN is a surprise package in all senses! Not a stupid sequel. Not a bad remake. Not an illogical love story. QUEEN is a heart warming story of a woman on a journey of self discovery. Sometimes it makes you laugh, sometimes it makes you wonder. It makes you sing and dance then it makes you ponder. It gives you plenty rib tickling moments while giving you time to introspect.

QUEEN is about being a Woman. A Liberated – FREE THINKING – erratic woman who sheds her inhibitions and braves going on her honeymoon. ALONE. Why? Because the guy she was going to marry chickened out at the last minute. He has reasons he says. And we know none of them are valid. He wants to wriggle out. And so he does.

We have seen a truck load of saas bahu sagas making a drama out of this situation. Ghar ki izzat ka kya? .. beti ki baraat nahi aayi, hayo rabba! .. log kya kahenge? If this is what you expect, you are going to be disappointed. None of that crap happens here. Instead, the female protagonist rises like a phoenix from her ashes with the help and support of her family and she goes out to explore...not just Europe but herself too. She makes friends with strippers, waitresses and a multi cultural trio of males and finds strength in being what she’s best at – BEING HERSELF: A bubbly Punjabi kudi - so beautifully essayed by Kangana Ranaut.

Director Vikas Bahl could have turned this into a weepy saga considering the story line but he creates magic! There’s hardly any rona dhona or melodrama! Instead, Rani with a desi ghee ka tadka turns into Queen with her witty one liners and unbeatable charm. She teaches us a lot of valuable lessons. But still the film does not preach! That’s the magic of Bahl and Kangana.

The story is fantastic and so is the script...and here I must mention Ranaut herself, credited for Additional Dialogue. The music is okay. The London Thumka andNaiya songs do strike a chord...but it’s the remixed version of Hungama Ho Gaya that steals the show!

So here I am just out of the much talked about ... much appreciated QUEEN. QUEEN is not a film. It's an experience. An experience of liberation, self discovery and the importance of loving yourself. QUEEN is about friendship, family and womanhood. QUEEN. Because when you have only you, it's good to let go off yourself. Am so glad Indian cinema has stopped portraying women as doormats. Here's a chance to let go. Breathe. Enjoy. And smile like an idiot like I did.

This is Kangana’s film all the way. And you know what, that’s what makes it work!

By: Tillana Desai

Holiday Poster Out

Apne ko kya, apne ko toh poster dekhne ka hai!

Queen Rocks Amsterdam

Viacom 18 Motion Pictures & Phantom Films’ Queen directed by Vikas Bahl,includes a remixed rendition of Asha Bhosle’s Hungama Ho Gaya, a number that predominately stood out in the 70’s .And giving it a quirky twist,the makers decided to picturize the song in a local club in Amsterdam called NL.

If sources are to be believed,the song created a riot of sorts with the Dutch crew taking to the dance floor post the song’s shoot.It was the very first time a Hindi/Bollywood song was played in the club and the local dancers and international crew had a ball as they were introduced to the iconic number.

Hungama Ho Gaya was met with such an unprecedented response that Club NL at Amsterdam hosted its first ever Bollywood Party, after the crew shot there.If that wasn't all , the inhouse DJ belted out his own mix for it, which is being used in the end credits of the film.

Confirming the news says director Vikas Bahl, “We did not anticipate the kind of craze the song would garner….The locals went absolutely crazy , dancing to the track all night long.It was a moment when India shook Amsterdam”.

Viacom 18 Motion Pictures & Phantom Films’ Queen directed by Vikas Bahl is scheduled to release 7^th March.

Dishkiyaoon's 'Tu Hi Hai Aashiqui' Finally Live

Dishkiyaoon’s Song ‘Tu Hi Hai Aashiqui’ is now live exclusively on www.erosnow.com, before anywhere else.

‘Tu Hi Hai Aashiqui’ has been sung by Arijit Singh and Palak Muchhal, and composed by Palash Muchhal.

Written and directed by Sanamjit Singh Talwar, ‘Dishkiyaoon’ is produced by Shilpa Shetty Kundra and Sunil Lulla. Presented by Eros Now, the film stars Harman Baweja, Sunny Deol, Suraj Pancholi and Ayesha Khanna. It is slated to release on 28th March, 2014.

Russel Crowe Ages to 940 in 'Noah'

Russell Crowe, who will soon be seen in Darren Aronofsky’s upcoming, larger-than-life, Noah, will be sporting a scruffy and older look in the grand story about Noah and the Ark.

Russell, who plays the role of the protagonist ‘Noah’ in the film, builds an arch, saving animals and his family from the deluge that befalls man. The role required the actor to portray the character that lives for several hundred years, resulting in an older looking Russell, with salt-and-pepper beard and long hair. The ace actor went all out to make his character's journey on the famed Ark look as realistic as possible. The journey of his character spreads across decades, with his look changing as the character progresses.  Russell recently shared on Twitter, “Noah lived until he was 940 years old...probably going to be a long movie.”

Born in New Zealand, the legendary actor rose to fame with his Academy Award winning role in the historical epic blockbuster film, Gladiator. He then stunned the critics with his role in ‘A Beautiful Mind’, going on to win the BAFTA Award for Best Actor in a Leading Role, for the 2001 Biographical drama. He recently starred in Man of Steel, where he played Jor-El, the father of Superman.

Audiences across the globe are very excited to watch Russell play Noah’s character in this stunning film inspired by the epic story of courage, sacrifice and hope. Noah also stars Academy Award winner Jennifer Connelly as Noah’s wife Naameh, as well as fellow Oscar winner Anthony Hopkins and ‘Harry Potter’ actress Emma Watson.

Presented by Paramount Pictures, Noah is slated for release on 28th March. The film will be released by Viacom18 Motion Pictures in India.

'Queen' Motion Poster Released

The makers of ‘Queen’ have released the film’s brand new motion poster showing Kangana Ranaut striking a flawless desi pose as ‘Rani’, with the dhamaakedaar song ‘Hungama Ho Gaya’ being played in the background. It can be viewed here.

Against the backdrop of disco lights and surrounded by a cheering crowd, Rani rocks the club with her moves. The poster perfectly encapsulates the essence of the film, where Rani, a simple girl from Rajauri, heads out to a country she has never been to, before, lets her hair down and has the time of her life. 

The movie also features Lisa Haydon and Rajkummar Rao in pivotal roles. Presented by Viacom18 Motion Pictures, ‘Queen’ is a Phantom Production. The Kangana Ranaut starrer is directed by Vikas Bahl, and produced by Viacom18 Motion Pictures, Vikramaditya Motwane & Anurag Kashyap. Queen is scheduled for release on March 7, 2014.

Armaan and Tanisha ki Chemistry

A party thrown by a leading Indian television channel recently, saw the attendance of the much talked about couple Armaan Kohli and Tanishaa Mukerji. The duo was seen together making a public appearance for the very first time, since Bigg Boss 7.

With Rapunzel like lustrous locks, Tanishaa was seen gracing the red carpet in an Urvashi Kaur dress. It seems like Indian designers are her favorite, with the stylish diva being seen in various stunning creations by our desi designers of late. The lovely earthy hues in the floor length dress and the flowy yet curve accentuating fit, made the star look uber feminine.

Standing tall beside the actress, was a handsome Armaan Kohli, dressed in an all black Mapxencars suit by designer duo Riddhi & Siddhi.

A rather masculine Armaan with Tanishaa’s contrasting softness, captured everyone's attention at the event. The crackling chemistry between the couple certainly seems to have still been the talk of the town even after their last television appearance in the reality show.

Highway is Imtiaz Ali's Elbow Room

Imtiaz Ali says he braced himself for a free fall while working on his experimental road drama 'Highway' but the director is happy that the risk has paid off.

The film, starring Alia Bhatt and Randeep Hooda, was made on a budget of Rs 18.25 crore. Ali says the film earned Rs 15.50 crore before its release and made Rs 22.38 crore from 800 screens in its first week of release. The director, who turned producer for 'Highway' with his Window Seat Films, says the project was his attempt to have more creative freedom.

"With 'Highway' I was trying to plant a seed. How else do you create an elbow room for yourself? I want to direct what I feel is interesting not what is supposed to be my zone. I don't want it to be narrow. It was a huge risk as I was into completely uncharted territory but luckily it paid off," Ali said in an interview.

Things started falling into place when Sajid Nadiadwala pitched in by turning a presenter while AR Rahman came on board for music again after collaborating with Ali on 'Rockstar'. Still assailed by doubts, Ali says he promised himself that he will abandon the project midway if the story did not come together as it was an open 

script.

"I took money from Sajid bhai hoping that I will manage to return it and if I don't I will pay him by working. I have always tried to make profitable films because people's offices shut down if films fail and I will do everything to avoid that. This is why I wanted 'Highway' to be my risk alone," says Imtiaz.

The journey has not ended for Ali with the release of the film as he has been touring cities and gouging audience response by visiting cinema halls.

"The audience has responded and connected with the story on an emotional level with both Alia and Randeep's characters. It is very important to have honest feedback and that comes directly from those who have just watched your film. This is why I have have been travelling even now," he said.

Ali was trying to make the film for a long time and now that it has released, he says there is a certain vacuum.

"There is always a vacuum at the end of a film. I was trying to make it for so long and I know that I have made it there is a certain kind of emotional gratification that has happened," Imtiaz said.

The 'Jab We Met' director says the lessons he learnt while directing 'Highway' will impact the course of his future films. His next will have Ranbir Kapoor after 'Rockstar'.

"I am now zoning towards the other film. I think I will go into it quickly. It is again something that I have been thinking for a while now. It is projection of something that is very personal but it is told in a story telling type of way. I don't know how it will turn out," says Ali.

The director says he has to begin from zero as the previous versions of the story were lost when his computer crashed.

"All the other versions have been erased and I have to begin from zero which in a way is good. I will be able to recall what is important while the decorations would be gone. I am glad about it," he said.

Queen Rules Big B's Heart

Vikas Bahl’s ‘Queen’ has struck all the right chords with the audience, with the activities engaging them and its remarkable trailer, especially. With a week to go for the release of the film, all the hard work seems to be paying off, with positive word-of-mouth pouring in from all quarters.

The living legend, Amitabh Bachchan, recently had kind words to say about the Kangana Ranaut starrer Queen. At an event for his upcoming film, when quizzed about his reaction to the film Queen, Big B said that he loved the promo of Queen, and that it was amazing. Coming from the stellar actor, who knows good cinema when he sees one, it was surely a compliment for the cast and the makers of the film.

The movie also features Lisa Haydon and Rajkummar Rao in pivotal roles. Presented by Viacom 18 Motion Pictures, ‘Queen’ is a Phantom Production. The Kangana Ranaut starrer is directed by Vikas Bahl, and produced by Viacom18 Motion Pictures, Vikramaditya Motwane & Anurag Kashyap. Queen is scheduled for release on March 7, 2014.

Noah- "The Flood" movie's Motion Poster Now Live

The fast paced motion poster for ‘Noah’ has been released, and can be viewed below. 

The visual begins with a shot of the Ark from above, speeding down towards Noah, played by Russell Crowe. A drop of water falling on his forehead gives a hint of the catastrophe which would follow. This motion poster encapsulates it all.

This is one of the many exclusive posters and interesting content, which the makers are sharing with fans. NOAH, the larger-than-life film, directed by Darren Aronofsky, features Noah having visions of an apocalyptic deluge, taking measures to protect his family and saving the innocent animals from the coming flood. In a world ravaged by human sin, Noah is given a divine mission: to build an Ark to save god's creation from the devastating flood.

‘Noah’ boasts of a heavy weight star cast, comprising of Academy Award winners Russell Crowe and Jennifer Connelly as Noah and his wife, Naameh, respectively. It also stars Oscar Award winner Anthony Hopkins and the gorgeous Emma Watson. Presented by Paramount Pictures, ‘Noah’ is slated for release on 28^th March.

CSR Celebrities

Bollywood is undoubtedly one of the most powerful mediums to communicate strong and sincere messages. The celebrities, with their fan following, create a difference by voicing their opinions on social causes. They have moved beyond Box Office triumphs. Apart from being actors, these individuals are aware of their social responsibilities and use their star quotient as a tool to meet a bigger and larger cause, for the good of the people.

Many Bollywood celebrities have been sincerely working on issues they care passionately about and their association doesn’t end with their film projects. Here we present some Bollywood actors, who understand their larger purpose in the transformation and betterment of the society.

Salman Khan has bettered lives, saved many and given them hope, all thanks to the charity work of Being Human. Proceeds from his initiatives like Being Human Merchandise and Being Human Art, go towards healthcare and education for the underprivileged.

Actor Arjun Rampal, known to be closely associated with PETA, along with representatives from the organization, recently met Maharashtra State Forest Minister to hand-deliver a letter. The letter urged the minister to take immediate action in order to ensure that 14-year-old abused elephant Sunder was transferred to a sanctuary from the temple in Kolhapur. Madhuri Dixit, Amitabh Bachchan, Raveena Tandon, R Madhavan, and many other celebrities took to Twitter to support his case to #FreeSunder.

Dia Mirza has been supporting various social organizations, ever since she was crowned the Miss India Asia- Pacific in 2000. Working closely with ‘ADAPT’ (Able Disable All People Together), Dia has been deeply empathetic about the cause. She had also participated in a rally organized by the society to push for building ramps, elevators and adjusted toilets in public places. She has been closely associated with Cancer Patients Aid Association, and has worked with the Government of Andhra Pradesh to spread HIV awareness and prevent female foeticide. 

John Abraham, a firm believer in social work thanks to his mother, is closely associated with PETA. Last year, he sent a letter to Ministry of Environment and Forests (MoEF), urging them to put a ban on the use of elephants in circuses. He was also seen supporting Make A Wish foundation, where he made dreams of many terminally ill children come true.

Deepika Padukone is a sports enthusiast and has been a national-level badminton player. Her passion for sports drives her to work for Olympic Gold Quest, a support group for athletes and sportspersons, started by her father, legendary Badminton player Prakash Padukone. Olympic Gold Quest scouts for potential medal talent, helps identify areas of support, and works with all stakeholders to aid deserving talent. Amit Sadh, too, does his bit frequently, by promoting cycling, the environment-friendly commute.  The actor recently participated in Tour De India’s Green Cyclothon, in Mumbai and at the Buddh International Circuit (BIC) in Greater Noida. Apart from this, the ‘Kai Po Che’ actor also played at a charity match, with the All Stars football Club.

It’s wonderful to know, that these actors, in their own way are trying to contribute to the society.  Being socially aware is one thing, and being socially responsible is another. Every effort taken to help never goes unnoticed. Kudos to these actors and we hope they continue to make a difference and lead such exemplary lives.