Friday, June 17, 2011
Big B dons Yaarana light bulb jumper again
Burning Bright: Big B on the sets of Bbuddah Hoga Terra Baap
| By: Shaheen Parkar | Date: 2011-06-17 | Place: Mumbai |
For a special medley in his forthcoming film 'Bbuddah Hoga Terra Baap'
Amitabh Bachchan was seen glowing (literally!) at the shoot of his forthcoming flick Bbuddah Hoga Terra Baap at Filmistan Studios, on Thursday. As part of a special medley composed for him, the Big B shot the famous Sara Zamana Haseeno Ka Deewana track in the exact same way he did in 1981. In sunglasses and an electric lightbulb suit!
Shaad Ali, the director of Bunty Aur Babli in which Bachchan starred too, called the shots for the shoot and Shiamak Davar did the choreography. Says a source, "Amitabh Bachchan and the background dancers (24 girls) wore similar costumes as in the original song. The sets were also identical to the original. Art director, Amrita Singh, had been given the brief to create a replica."
Adds the source, "It was nostalgia time for Bachchan. He was shooting for the same track he shot for 30 years ago. He still clearly remembered every move. The shoot wrapped up late last night." The song is part of a medley of Big B's yesteryear tracks like Khaike Paan Banaras Wala, Rang Barse and Pag Ghungroo, which have been specially redone for the movie.
The original track
It was Amitabh Bachchan's suggestion to use light bulbs on the jacket, for the song Saara Zamana Haseeno Ka Deewana from Yaraana in 1981. He got this idea after watching a bull fight sequence from an English film starring Robert Redford. He told director Rakesh Kumar, who instantly agreed. The switches for the lights on the outfit were in Bachchan's hands. He synchronised the flashing of lights, while dancing to the rhythm of the music.
News MID DAY
Aamir Khan goes down memory lane at Lagaan party
Aamir Khan goes down memory lane at Lagaan party
When Aamir Khan and team Lagaan kick started the film there were a lot of hindrances that came their way. Everybody had their suggestions to put in because Aamir was turning to producer for the first time. While some supported the idea, a few of the big personalities viewed that Lagaan will be a disaster for Aamir.
Lyricist Javed Akhtar told the reporters last night atLagaan bash party, "I was shocked when Ashutosh Gowariker narrated me the script. It had a long list of dont's of Hindi cinema. I thought I should protect Aamir that he should not commit this suicide. But, both he and Ashutosh treated me like an elder and did not listen to me." Aamir went ahead with what he wanted to do and today the actor celebrates 10 successful year success of Lagaan and his career as a filmmaker as well."
Talking about the making of Lagaan, Aamir revealed last night that Lagaan is successful because of two reasons. First is because of the way Ashutosh directed it and second is that no one but he had the courage to make the film. Revealing further Aamir told that Gowariker was not confident on Amitabh Bachchan doing the voice over for the film. "I was shocked and argued with Ashutosh why this had not struck him before asking me to go and meet Amitji. But, Amitji took it so sportingly and told me that he was relieved since all films for which he had done a voiceover had miserably flopped," Aamir informed.
Ashutosh again changed his mind and decided to go ahead with Mr. Bachchan only for the voice over, Aamir said. "I again went to Amitji and told him that my director has gone mad. He now wants you for the film. Amitji did not utter a word but reminded me that he was supertious and felt that he brought bad luck. I said we are ready to take the risk because so many factors had gone against the film during the making but we had overcome all the difficulties."
Aamir Khan's thought of film making is simple. He believes in passionate film making. Satyajit Bhatkal's 'Madness in the Desert', a documentary on the making of Lagaan was screened on the occasion. Aamir described the celebration as ''going down memory lane'' which has brought tears to his eyes.
The promo shoot for the song done by Abhishek and me BigB
Jalsa , Mumbai June 16, 2011 Thu 11 : 09 PM
The promo shoot for the song done by Abhishek and me over .. and now we wait to see the results of it in the final print. Monitors on set can be so misleading at times. They are a good reference point, immediate and convenient, but the sense of color, expanse and detail can never be discovered until the final print is out. That should take a day or two and then the nail biting starts. Its never a moment of relief when a film is on release and we are no different from any other. But the funny part is that after the release and the knowledge of its fate, we start chewing our nails again - what do we do next ? The endless urge to keep going, to keep improving or aiming, to compete with the other bests, to rise in profile, is what this great city compels us to do. Mumbai … the city of opportunity, beckons us all each morning, come rain or shine. Its pushes you out of bed, bundles you up for work if you already have one and keeps at you till you get back home. If you are without work, it holds and guides you to the water, pushes your neck in and asks you politely to drink the acqua - whether you do or not is not what the adage remains constructed for. The horse will be led up to the vessel but whether it drinks from it is another chapter. But really, the brilliance of this city is the fact that as you step out, there is a strong force that, much like the strength of the waves that hit the coast, overcomes your disposition and from some undisclosed destination emanates the will and the power to know that something shall give today. And the greatest gift of the city then is that, even if you do not desire it, it shall reach out for you and present the opportunity to you in its barest form. It shall be your prerogative then whether you wish to accept it or lose it.
In the early hours of the day I met some students from Wharton - that famed College in USA, renowned for its Business Management studies. They are on a tour of India, learning Hindi and getting acclimatized with what India is all about. Most of them are from Indian origin and it is heartening to note that they still have the desire to learn and get a knowledge of the country where their roots are. Some people from foreign lands come to the country with great expectations, but leave disappointed. The country is too much for them to bear. There are others that simply cannot get enough of the place and leaving from the country is like a tearing away from your own blood, as it were. I cleared many questions with them. Misconceptions and pertinent opinions that the West at times has formed about this ‘third world country’ ! What it means to be a proud Indian, where our priorities lie and how we see the future. For, a country as young as ours from being independent to now, is a remarkable growth and progress report, unlike many others that have driven themselves into oblivion because they did not have the same drive and systematic thought processes and philosophies in mind. For India to be surrounded by other nations in at times unsettled conditions and to remain untouched and unperturbed or influenced by any change, is by itself a remarkable feat - Pakistan, Bangla Desh, Nepal, Sri Lanka , have all suffered inconsistency in governance and status. India on the other hand has, despite its equal share of drama and unrest, remained what it always was, a peaceful nation, quiet and balanced until it gets provoked ! Not sufficiently written about, other than about the poverty and below basic human living conditions, it is rather shameful for me as a proud Indian to be given that distinction. Poverty to the West is their longest running successful Tv serial. It is loved to be watched and talked about day in and day out. When the West deliberates on it as often as they would want to, it reeks at times of them wanting to subdue their own passion and desires that they may fear ! I cannot for sure say this. Those that represent the poor conditions have often been rewarded - an endorsement really at times, of what the other would wish for us.
They now project to the world at large that the Indian economy shall be the largest by 2050, that it will be among the three world states in position of power. This is an incredible achievement, in the years of recession and debate. How ever can we achieve this without sharing our expertise in all walks of our life, or conversely to learn and emulate the other in many ways so that we keep up in front in balance. The idea is not to usurp, or take by force, but indeed to adjust to the times a little more rapidly that before. But if individual aggrandizement is what your search engines are guiding you to, then please go ahead and do it. But remain with the soil. There is no history of India invading another country. And despite the unrest that has at times prevailed around it geographically, our state and belief has remained stable. This is no mean feat. An envy rather for others. Our wealth and our achievements have perhaps remained with us without that extra fuss about it being propagated. That is perhaps our modest and reserved humble nature ; servile at most times to the guest in the home, but when ‘the blast of war blows in our ears’ then have we ’summoned up the blood, and disguised fair nature with hard favored rage’ !!!
Ah ! This topic gets too Shakespearean and dripping with the echoes of Henry the V …
We are well and well shall we remain. We are diverse and different and difficult. Yes that is our nature and character. No one expected this from us, but we disproved them - quietly and in our own way without the beating of drums. I wish it well for the future too …
And that really is an end to my display of patriotism. Everyone is proud of the earth they belong to and this shall never change. Nature made it for us to be thus. May the Almighty bless us all in our respective environments and keep us together in peace and love … Bbuddah Hoga Terra Baap
Amitabh Bachchan
forgot to mention that the CD’s Big B
Jalsa , Mumbai June 15/16 , 2011 Wed/Thu 1 : 13 AM
What a day ! Up at 6 to get to work and have just finished. Not at all surprised at the course taken, because we were meant to earn our living through sweat and tears. Tears remained distant, the sweat alive pertinent and deserving !!
So we shoot a promo for the film #BHTBaap at Filmistan studio, for the medley, and there has not been a moment of rest or reprieve from the camera. Just as well I think that we are able to come alive when the reels start rolling and that a record for posterity is on its way. This process is in fact the only means where our work gets documented for eternity and I would imagine that each one of us that face a camera each day think about this phenomena. The phenomena of documentation, the phenomena of your creativity, of your worth and how you perceived it. Once done never to be undone again, and perhaps that is why we labor with repeat takes until satisfaction on performance is achieved, until satisfaction on creativity envelops us - signed sealed and delivered !!
And then when the day at the sets, reliving nostalgia was over, went across to wish Aamir for his completion of 10 years of his production company. he had been repeatedly calling me and wanted me to come across, since he was inviting people that in some ways had made a contribution to his films. I, as many may know, did the commentary for his film ‘Lagaan’. It was an interesting concept of interacting with all those that had attended. I was in and out in a short time, but not without facing a barrage, no an entire battalion of media, that had come to cover the event.
And all they ask, or have been asking for these last few days, has been .. ‘ could you please just once, say Buddah Hoga tera Baap’ … and I do, sending them off into a frenzy of loud applause, screams and shouts !! Well, something seems to be working on the film front despite a spate of dejected voices from the Ef !! Most of the anxiety expressed has been from territories where the clientele for the film, made in our part of the world, has a limited audience. I know each customer counts, but when the marketing division of the production outfit sits on it, there is first a desire to cater to the obvious markets from where the earning promises to be large ! The issue will be addressed and well I hope. I can but only say that we need to weigh all options and then proceed to our best ability.
In all this, I forgot to mention that the CD’s made their way finally to me today and I shall be sending some across to designated people for distribution. There has been I think a huge reaction to the music of the film. As I entered the hall where Aamir had invited me, he came out into the dining area of the Hotel and escorted me to the stage where, he, Javed Akhtar and Ashutosh Gowariker were seated and led me straight up to them. Even before I could get up to it, Javed saheb leant over the raised platform and whispered into my ear .. ‘ kya gana gaya hai aapne’ … ‘what a song you have sung’ ! I am surprised to know that he knows and ask him where he had heard it. ‘The radio’, he replied and ushered me on to my place on the dias. This is wonderful news. Javed Saheb is a hard nut to crack when you desire his opinion on any matter, so this reaction spoke a lot. There is the TwFmXt from the twitter world that have incessantly paid huge comment and appreciation to the number ‘Haal e Dil’, which is something that gladdens me, for it has been my most favorite since a long time !!
Tomorrow is another early morning and it shall be with Abhishek joining me on set. We shoot the promo for the film #BHTBaap together and I think its been a while since we did something on film together. He was there today too, but he works on an opposite set for another film of his ‘Players’ ! Shaad Ali who directed that wonderful film ‘ Bunty aur Babli’ is directing this promo for us, the very senior and accomplished DOP Binod Pradhan cranks the camera and Shaimak Davar’s talented crew and dancers choreograph with us. Visiting one of these moments on set one would imagine every two or three minutes someone was getting murdered - everyone in order to psyche themselves up scream and shout whoop and whistle during after and before the take starts. Finally we get it right and there is more applause and screaming. It seems to be the norm at work these days, but there it is .
It is time now .. i must excuse myself and catch some much needed sleep … good night dearest ones .. prayers and love … and much more ….
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