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Articles on ARR from YG.

Topic started by Are Yaar (@ 203.197.141.186) on Thu Oct 10 08:44:25 EDT 2002.
All times in EST +10:30 for IST.

For many days, I felt that I should have a thread to share some of the articles about ARR in desi and international press and website. I intend to start this thread and expect others also to post some articles about ARR here.

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Responses:

• Old responses
  
• From: Are Yaar (@ 203.115.31.67) on: Sat Dec 14 02:07:50 EST 2002
  
  Fireworks set the sky afire as the lasers danced far into the
  distance, touching the skies. It was a proud moment for every
  Hyderabadi, after K Eswar Rao and Mulini Reddy jointly got the Games
  flame going and a crowd of nearly 60,000 spectators stood up as one
  and added their voices to the thunder of crackers. The Flame was lit
  to the strains of a special composition by music maestro A R Rahman
  while Sivamani belted the drums."
  
  Is it another new composition? Didn't get to hear ignited minds also
  till now?
  
  
  Read more on this here
  
  http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/cms.dll/xml/uncomp/articleshow?
  artid=31209219
  
  
  
• From: Are Yaar (@ 203.115.31.67) on: Mon Dec 16 04:29:52 EST 2002
  
  Three big guns join hands for Bollywood buster
  KAAJAL WALLIA
  
  TIMES NEWS NETWORK[ SUNDAY, DECEMBER 15, 2002 10:27:55 PM ]
  
  MUMBAI: Call it a creative merger or brand-building exercise.
  Borrowing these concepts from the corporate world on whose lines
  Bollywood is trying to model itself, three big names of Indian cinema
  have in a unique experiment pooled their resources for a project.
  
  
  Saathiya, which is scheduled for release on December 20, has brought
  together three top brands of Indian cinema - namely, filmmakers Mani
  Ratnam and Yash Chopra and producer Bobby Bedi.
  
  
  While Ratnam, director of several superhits, has supervised the
  project, Bedi, who has many international productions such as Bandit
  Queen to his credit, executed the film's making and Chopra is using
  his distribution network and marketing skills to promote Saathiya.
  
  
  Chopra has also financed the Rs 10-crore film which features Vivek
  Oberoi and Rani Mukherjee in the lead. The three have also roped in
  their own creative partners for the project. For example, A R Rahman,
  who has always been associated with Ratnam's projects, has provided
  music for the movie, while Gulzar, a friend of Bedi, has penned the
  film's lyrics.
  
  
  This sharing of resources could be viewed as a brand-enhancing
  exercise, said Sanjeev Agarwal of Ernst & Young who has prepared a
  report on the entertainment industry for the Confederation of Indian
  Industry.
  
  
  When well-known brands work together, the brand value of the final
  product is likely to get enhanced, he said. Sure enough, industry
  observers say expectations from the movie are high.
  
  
  There is a positive buzz around the film, said trade analyst Amod
  Mehra. But will this experiment succeed in getting audience back to
  the theatres? Agarwal said the success of creative mergers depends on
  the people involved with the project.
  
  
  Irrespective of Saathiya's fate at the box-office, such creative
  alliances could be viewed as a long-term solution by the industry to
  beat economic slowdown and run of flop shows, believed Bedi.
  
  
  "The film industry needs to reinvent its traditional style of
  functioning because it is difficult to grow in these times of crisis.
  The industry has to learn to live and grow together," he said.
  
  
  Such creative collaborations have worked in Hollywood, why shouldn't
  they work here, he asked. "Despite cut-throat competition between
  major Hollywood studios, they frequently join forces to make films.
  In fact, Shekhar Kapur's latest film Four Feathers has been produced
  by two Hollywood studios Paramount and Miramax," he said.
  
  
  The idea for a creative merger for Saathiya germinated during one of
  Federation of Indian Chamber of Commerce and Industry's (FICCI)
  meetings, recalled Chopra.
  
  
  "Bobby and I meet frequently since we are active members of Ficci's
  entertainment cell. During one such meeting, Bobby told me to watch
  Ratnam's Tamil movie Alaipayuthey. Mani's assistant director Saad Ali
  was making a Hindi remake of the movie and was in search of a
  financier and producer. We liked the movie and wanted to be a part of
  the project," he said.
  
  
  But were creative egos hurt during the filmmaking? "We had a lot of
  creative discussions but tried not to interfere in each other's area
  of work," Chopra said.
  
  
  
• From: Are Yaar (@ 203.115.31.67) on: Tue Dec 17 02:27:08 EST 2002
  
  "The music is from Alai Payuthe. I'd be a fool to let go of a
  foolproof combination like A R Rahman and Mani Rathnam just to be
  different. I was lucky to have such lovely melodies in my backyard.
  
  
  I feel films like Nayak which adapted Rahman's Tamil score didn't get
  it right. That's why I chose Gulzar to do the lyrics.
  "
  
  
  http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/cms.dll/html/comp/articleshow?
  artid=31458318
  
  
  
  
• From: Are Yaar (@ 203.115.31.67) on: Wed Dec 18 03:01:41 EST 2002
  
  http://www.rediff.com/entertai/2002/dec/17shaad.htm
  
  'Saathiya is like an exam for me'
  
  The last thing Shaad Ali wants is to be compared to Mani Ratnam
  
  
  The last few weeks have been a whirlwind for debutant director Shaad Ali.
  
  When Shobha Warrier met him, he was exhausted. It only needed a mention of his film, Saathiya, for that fatigue to give way to eager conversation.
  
  Saathiya is a remake of Mani Ratnam's successful Alai Payuthey, starring Madhavan and Shalini. The Hindi version stars Vivek Oberoi and Rani Mukherji.
  
  Shaad is nervous. He is excited. He can't wait for his film to release on Friday, December 20. Bear in mind, he takes on Sanjay Gupta's multi-starrer Kaante, which releases the same day.
  
  Are you nervous?
  
  
  
  The last minute nervousness is catching. I am basically a nervous person and have been every day of shooting. I would tell myself the next day would be okay but that never happened. The nervousness continued.
  
  Making Saathiya is like an exam for me. Exam fever, you know? It seems like I have been writing an examination every day, from the day I started shooting for Saathiya.
  
  Is this because the film was originally made by Mani Ratnam and was a huge success?
  
  Probably. It is a challenge to make a film made by Mani Sir again. I learnt filmmaking from him. Once I finished shooting, I started thinking about how Mani Sir would have done each shot, how he would react, etc.
  
  I hope critics and people will give me a fair chance and not look at it as a film that was made earlier by Mani Ratnam. I hope they will not compare my film with Alai Payuthey. I hope they will not compare me to Mani Ratnam. He has 16 films to his credit. This is my first effort.
  
  But comparisons are bound to happen. Did you think of that when you accepted the offer to direct this film?
  
  The moment Saathiya was offered to me, I could only say Yes. For me, Mani Sir asking me to do the film was an achievement in itself.
  
  It was important for me to make a film. It is very difficult to get a chance to make a film. It is a big struggle.
  
  I worked as his assistant for four years. Maybe he felt I could do this. I was also the associate director on the original. I had worked with the script for five years before it was made into a film.
  
  When you started shooting Saathiya, did you have scenes of Alai Payuthey in mind?
  
  The initial script was at the back of my mind. I wanted to get the images of the film out of my mind. That is why I asked Gulzarsaab to write a new script. I knew he would have a different approach to the film. At the same time, we didn't want to lose the essence. It is a treatment-based film, not plot-oriented. The relationship between the characters and their performances are important.
  
  I admit the original is like the Bible; I have followed it. But you will not see a remake in Saathiya. Saathiya is more extroverted, more robust and more energetic.
  
  You must have changed the milieu completely for the Hindi version.
  
  Completely. We transported it to Mumbai and the Hindi culture. The characters speak a totally different language. Automatically, relationships also tend to change a little. I would say it has a different flavour.
  
  Did you not think of casting Madhavan in the film because he displayed freshness and vulnerability apt for the character in Alai Payuthey?
  
  Madhavan is a nice guy. I enjoyed working with him ( during the making of Alai Payuthey). I didn't cast him in Saathiya because I wanted the film to look fresh. Madhavan had already signed a couple of Hindi films then.
  
  I didn't want people to be reminded of the original. A large audience has seen Alai Payuthey. I wanted to give them two fresh faces. I didn't think they would be excited to see Madhavan in the same role.
  
  Why did you choose Vivek Oberoi? He was the tough guy in Ram Gopal Varma's Company and Road while this character is a soft romantic.
  
  I had no idea what he was doing in Company when I chose him. I signed him when he had just signed Company.
  
  I have known Vivek since kindergarten. He is like what you see him in my film. He has acted in Company but in Saathiya, he is the real Vivek.
  
  Was Rani Mukherji your first choice?
  
  Rani was my first and last choice. She was born to play this role. She looked the character. She looked vulnerable. She looked the right age. She was perfect.
  
  Are you satisfied with the way Vivek and Rani Mukherji have performed in Saathiya?
  
  Yes, I am. They understood the characters quite well. Rani and Vivek have given the finest performances you have seen in recent times. They are natural; they are themselves. They were committed. The film was made in one schedule. There is continuity in their look and characterisation. Both of them were genuinely involved in the project.
  
  What was Mani Ratnam's reaction to Saathiya?
  
  He said, 'It doesn't look like your first film.' That comment was a big compliment for me. Mani Sir is a man of few words.
  
  Everybody who worked on the original liked Saathiya.
  
  2002 has been a dull year for the Hindi film industry. Saathiya is expected to change that. Do these expectations put a lot of pressure on you?
  
  I am not responsible for such expectations. This film will do what it is supposed to do. I want every film to do well.
  
  If you make sensible films, they will do well. Dil Chahta Hai was a sensible film. It clicked. Lagaan was a very good film. It did well too.
  
  The only good film that did not get its due was The Legend Of Bhagat Singh.
  
  Where will you be when Saathiya releases?
  
  I will go to a theatre, stand in the last row and watch all the shows with the audience.
  
  Shaad Ali's photographs: Sreeram Selvaraj
  
  
  
  
• From: Are Yaar (@ 203.115.31.67) on: Thu Dec 19 02:42:17 EST 2002
  
  http://www.tanphotos.co.uk/rbd.htm
  
  Verdict for Bombay Dreams
  
  Production :) :) :) :)
  by Lord Lloyd Webber ( A Really Useful Theatre Company Production ).
  What a commendable effort: to put on a totally different show when everyone else seems to be playing it safe with revivals. This effort has pulled it off! You can expect an Indian heat wave coming to London.
  
  Music :) :) :)
  by A R Rahman
  Fantastic music! it is a amazing how Rahman merged his music into a big West End musical with such ease.I think we will be Shakalaking for a long time. From the moment the music started you know you are back to the good old days of Miss Saigon or Sunset Boulevard.
  
  Story :) :) :)
  by Meera Syal based on an idea by Shekhar Kapur and Andrew Lloyd Webber
  Just the right touch! It doesn't tend to go overboard and is exactly what a Bollywood story should be: fun, campy, and with a happy ending. I didn't understand some of the jokes, but could still guess the meaning.
  
  Singing / Acting :) :) :)
  director by Steven Pimlott
  Perfect casting! Raza knows his limits and did it just right. The lovely Preeya has the most lovely voice I've heard in a long time.But Ayesha's, Raj's, and Shelley's characters really steal the show.
  
  On my second time to the show the whole cast was still performing to their best. I was fortunate to catch Stephen Hughes performance as the lead , not only can he dance but his acting and singing ability is the best I have seen. Stephen really bring out the heart and soul of the song 'Journey's home '. Also Stephen and Preeya matches so well. I though Preeya fighting scene would be cut by now unfortunately is still there and it spoils the show a bit.
  
  18/9/2002
  
  Choreography :) :) :) :)
  by Anthony Van Laast and Farah Khan
  Star of the show! I couldn't get enough! Would see it again and again. A spectacular show stopper.
  
  Production, Costume design :) :) :)
  by Mark Thompson
  Wonderful sets, especially the rotating staircase in the Miss World scene. It remind me of the spectacular MGM days. The costume was great.
  
  Lighting :) :) :)
  by Hugh Vanstone.
  Simply magical!
  
  Sound :) :) :)
  by Nigel Wright.
  It sounded so real that I thought there was a monsoon outside the Theatre.
  
  reviewed on 31/5/2002
  
  
  
  
  
  

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