http://www.tumblr.com/photo/1280/106...qnzRb5Z1qctnzs
Printable View
"Joker is innovative; Kick is 'masala'" - Shirish Kunder http://www.bollywoodhungama.com/temp...mages/clip.gif
By Joginder Tuteja, September 26, 2011 - 11:34 IST
http://images.bollywoodhungama.com/i...p/shirish1.jpg Shirish Kunder is going through one of the most exciting times ever in his career. His Joker is making brisk progress with VFX journey to follow while good groundwork has already been done for Kick as well. The only director in the current times to be doing a film each with the likes of Akshay Kumar and Salman Khan, Shirish is happy to have superstars in tow with promise of exciting times ahead in next two years at the least. In an exclusive conversation with Joginder Tuteja, Shirish talks about the varied experience he is enjoying/expecting while making the two films.
Ever since Joker went on floors early this year and especially during last couple of months, there have been quite a few theories going around the film. Really, are you aware about all the rumours making rounds?
Let the speculations continue and mysteries remain; it is fair enough after all (smiles). I am certainly having fun while listening to all sorts of weird things that are floating around. I know that people are clueless around how the film would eventually look because it is a new genre I am exploring here. Since there is no reference point for the film in Bollywood, there isn't anything for me to talk about either. I can tell you though that Joker would be first of its kind for sure.
http://www.bollywoodhungama.com/temp...mages/open.gif One thing that I can assure is that visually Joker would be a landmark film http://www.bollywoodhungama.com/temp...ages/close.gif In that case how do you actually explain the setting of your scene to the film's crew? Aren't they too a part of a journey full of surprises?
I will share with you an instance here. Due to demise of our art director Samir Chanda, we had to get a new art director on board. Once he saw the rushes and vision around the film was explained to him, he sounded quite impressed. Now when an outsider's perspective comes in, it is always heartening. Also one thing that I can assure is that visually Joker would be a landmark film. The kind of grandeur which has been brought in along with 3D technology will certainly set a new benchmark. Guess audience would get a taste of it only when the first theatrical hits the screens.
http://images.bollywoodhungama.com/i...p/shirish2.jpg I guess that could well be start of an exciting phase for you. After all, immediately after Joker you have Kick with Salman Khan to take care of.
Yes, definitely. Also, Kick would be pretty much set in a 'masala' film zone. We are adding quite a few other ingredients when compared to the Telugu original. For starters, action would be mounted on a much bigger scale. It would have a Hollywood style to it and even though essence of the character that Salman plays would still be the same as original, the screenplay would be far more enhanced.
Guess that can be expected, after all you have Salman in tow again after Jaan-E-Mann.
(Smiles) Yes, of course. Also, it is a big confidence booster and puts me in a good space. Today when everyone is chasing Salman, I already have one film with him in hand. To have your next two films with Akshay and Salman each could be a dream for any director. And imagine, I have already worked with both of them together.
Moreover you are also co-producing Joker. I believe not many directors are doing that.
Well, since you know the facts there isn't much for me to add here. However, it surprises me when some real rookies boast about their standing in the industry despite working on films that are made at a budget of Rs. 5-10 crores with next level stars and hardly do much either critically or commercially. Anyways, leave that because I don't quite wish to veer this conversation in that direction.
http://images.bollywoodhungama.com/i...p/shirish3.jpg Why not? Don't you wish to be in the limelight?
No, I would rather focus on my work. See, I don't party or socialise, I concentrate on my work and it is due to this reason that other than Joker and Kick, I am also quite close to announcing three more films next year. It's a matter of getting the timing right before I begin these films. In fact even as I talk to you and then continue work on my current schedule of Joker, there is a substantial portion of Kick that I have already frozen on paper.
With so much happening, how is Farah (Khan) contributing to your two films?
By doing nothing (laughs). No, jokes apart, she is there as a choreographer for these films. However, other than that we do not get involved in each other's films except for the job being given to us. See, we don't understand each other's films. She thinks commercial while I am more on an innovative side.
http://www.bollywoodhungama.com/temp...mages/open.gif Farah thinks commercial while I am more on an innovative side http://www.bollywoodhungama.com/temp...ages/close.gif So how innovative can one expect Joker to be?
A lot, especially after VFX is integrated into the scenes. When Akshay or a Sonakshi stare at me with a surprised expression after being made to act against a green backdrop, I really enjoy that moment. Something similar happens in movies made by George Lucas as well because no one knows in the beginning what is being shot. I don't think that would be the case in Kick though because my actors would know exactly what are they shooting. It would be far more straight forward.
thanks ram
Salman not a part of Rajinikanth’s biopic! “…@BeingSalmanKhan was never a part of the film…”
Esha Razdan | 26/09/11
http://images.bhaskar.com/web2images...ini_4381_f.jpg
A lot has been written and spoken about Salman Khan paying a tribute to Rajinikanth in a film based on latter’s biopic. But, the producer Atul Agnihotri rubbishes off all the rumours pertaining to this topic and reveals that the film was never planned to be made in Hindi. He also clears the air about Rajini’s family getting miffed with the idea and a supposed apology rendered to them.
Elaborating on the same, Atul says, “First of all, Salman Khan was never a part of the film. The moment the author (who has rights of the biopic) approached me with the idea of translating it into a movie, we decided for a Tamil release.”
He goes on to add, “Secondly, we are looking for a Southern actor, who will play Rajinikanth in the film. So, the question about Salman playing the lead role doesn’t arise.”
On being probed about whether Rajinikanth’s family was irked about the fact, he informs, “No, in fact, I had spoken to his daughter Soundarya over the phone and informed about the big step of transforming the book into a Tamil film. So again, we left no space for them to get angry or something.”
“Moreover, the man who had the rights of the film had approached us with a reference of one of our cinematographers. So, we had nothing to worry about,” he concludes.
daily bhaskar
After Arbaaz, Atul plans to direct Salman Khan soon! @BeingSalmanKhan has become the dream actor of every filmmaker today…!
Esha Razdan | 26/09/11
http://images.bhaskar.com/web2images..._fnl_560_f.jpg
Being the most bankable star, Salman Khan has become the dream actor of every filmmaker today. But, it’ll give any actor a different high, when he’s got a filmmaker sitting at home, who desire to work with him. Yes, after Arbaaz Khan, Atul Agnihotri is all geared up to direct Salman.
“As of now, I have a couple of ideas in mind. I’m waiting for Salman to recover properly and as once he flies back to India, I will discuss the same with him,” informs Atul.
Atul has so far directed two films that starred Salman, ‘Hello’ and ‘Dil Ne Jise Apna Kaha’. While the former had Salman in a cameo role that of God, latter was a full-fledged Salman Khan film, that also starred Preity Zinta and Bhumika Chawla.
On being probed about what genre of film would he be opting for, Atul concludes by saying, “I have not yet turned the idea into a proper script. As soon as I do that I will surely let you know.”
daily bhaskar
A big party awaits @BeingSalmanKhan, claims Atul Agnihotri; a big party is awaiting Bhai as soon as he returns home….!
Esha Razdan | 26/09/11
http://images.bhaskar.com/web2images...lman_557_f.jpg
There is more than one reason for Salman Khan and his closed ones to celebrate. But since, the actor has been away from the country first, for health reasons and now, he’s busy shooting for ‘Ek Tha Tiger’, all his folks have been maintaining a low profile. Nevertheless, a big party is awaiting Bhai as soon as he returns home.
His brother-in-law and filmmaker Atul Agnihotri confirms, “There is no joy without Salman. We are eagerly waiting for his recovery and return so that we can really party hard and enjoy every bit of success, which has come our way in the recent days.”
Being the proud producer of ‘Bodyguard’, Atul is extremely happy about the film breaking all the records, even surpassing those made by ‘Dabangg’, “The success of ‘Bodyguard’, ‘Dabangg’ winning a National Award’ and Salman’s successful surgery…wow, we really have all the reasons to celebrate,” adds an ecstatic Atul.
We totally agree with you Atul, hope Salman flies back soon and parties away to glory.
daily bhaskar
@Esha_Deol, @BeingSalmanKhan’s sizzling chemistry; “…even when he was going through so much pain, he came and shot without any fuss.”
Upala KBR, TNN | Sep 27, 2011
Esha Deol on the equation she shares with Salman Khan. The two shot for a song in Tell Me O Kkhuda.
Salman Khan and Esha Deol reunite (for the first time since No Entry) for Hema Mailini’s Tell Me O Kkhuda if only just for a song. The track called Somewhere Someone Is Missing You has been choreographed by Bosco-Caesar.
Esha recounts how Khan got on board, “Mom met Salman at an event a while back and he had promised to work in her film. We had forgotten all about it. One day, I was shooting at a Bandra nightclub and Prashant, a common friend of ours, came on the sets to meet me. The next thing I know I get a call from Salman at 11 pm that day, saying he is going to be part of the song and wanted to know when to show up. He came by the next night sharp at 11.30 pm as promised and finished shooting in a few hours without rehearsals!”
She adds, “We have always been very friendly. The funny thing is that I call Salman bhai while he calls me beta so after every take, we would crack up. What’s amazing about him is that even when he was going through so much pain, he came and shot without any fuss.”
About the song, she notes, “My good friend DJ Aqeel has remixed the song and Anushka Manchanda has sung for it. It is a peppy naughty-but-nice number, set against a nightclub ambience. I’ve got superb reactions to the track on my microblogging page. My sister Ahana has loved it. I think Salman and I share sizzling chemistry and that we both look very good together. Also there’s a good comfort level between us.”
TOI