More Khans …. Sighs Padukone

Her debut with Khan ('Om Shanti Om') was a super success.. And she's scored a winner with another Khan (Saif Ali Khan) in the second most successful film of 2009. But Deepika Padukone isn't contended. She's set her sights on two other desirable Khans too. "I'd love to work with Salman Khan …. and Aamir Khan too," sighs Padukone.

Fresh from the heartbreak with Ranbir Kapoor, the actress has thrown herself headlong into her career. Besides, the thumping win and the critical acclaim for her work in 'Love Aaj Kal' has earned DP work of calibre. "I've bagged some super duper assignments," she exults.

High on that list ranks director Ashutosh Gowarikar's 'Khelein Hum Jee Jaan Se' with Abhishek Bachchan as co star. Enacting a revolutionary in Gowariker's flick, buzz has it that DP is likely to watch away with all the top acting honours, once again.

Besides, she will also romp around in a bikini with Akshay Kumar in 'Houseful' and pair up with Neil Nitin Mukesh in Pradeep Sarkar's next. And right around the corner is … 'Karthik Calling Karthik' waiting to grace cine screens soon. Guess, it could be Success calling Padukone ….

Can't think of film without man-woman relationship: Imtiaz Ali

He is not resting on his laurels after the success of 'Love Aaj Kal'. Imtiaz Ali is already thinking about different stories and scripts to make into film but says whatever he makes will have the man-woman relationship as its focus.

"I haven't decided yet which story I am going to make next. I have a few stories swimming around in my mind. I don't know how they are going to take shape or which one is going to become a compulsive reason to make a film," Ali told us in an interview.

"All the stories that I have, have something to do with a man-woman relationship. I can't think of any story that doesn't involve a man-woman relationship," he added.

The three-film old director also hinted at a spy movie with a similar background.

"I also have a story which is a kind of secret service type where there is a guy who discovers himself by being the obscure secret service guy. But even there, though there is not the presence of too many women, the enduring trait is his relationship with a woman who won't be seen on screen too much," said the 38-year-old.

Bollywood on self-healing path with four hits

New Delhi, Aug 25 Energetic openings to Bollywood's four recent releases, 'New York', 'Kambakkht Ishq', 'Love Aaj Kal' and 'Kaminey', have succeeded in getting the business perk up. Wounded by a long strike earlier this year, the film industry is perhaps on a self-healing path now, say trade pundits.

The two-month-long stand-off between the producers-distributors and multiplex owners over revenue sharing, which was resolved June 5, led to a whopping Rs.300 crore (Rs.3 billion) loss to the Hindi film industry.

The dry spell was broken by Kabir Khan's 'New York' that released June 26 followed by the other three films -- 'Kambakkht Ishq' that came July 3, 'Love Aaj Kal' July 31 and 'Kaminey' Aug 14 -- raking in a net profit close to almost half the losses so far this year.

'These four films will do a net business of Rs.150 crore (Rs.1.5 billion) put together,' revealed an industry insider.

Said trade analyst Taran Adarsh: 'The industry is definitely on a recovery path... it is getting better now, but we do need a big number of hits to follow as even an A-list movie like 'Luck' bombed.

'Every movie has a luck of its own. For example, a small-budget film like 'A Wednesday' had a moderate release last year but proved to be a dark horse. At the end of the day it's the content that will win.'

Deepika is flying high after the sucess of love aaj kal

Suddenly everything seems to be going right for Deepika Padukone. Imtiaz Ali's 'Love Aaj Kal' has done the trick for her and she seems to be back at the top of the heap. Despite having a fantastic debut, courtesy, Shah Rukh Khan and Farah Khan, the actress seemed to have lost the initiative to her contemporaries.

Ranbir teaming up with Imtiaz, hints Rishi Kapoor

Mumbai, Aug 20 If things move as per plan, Ranbir Kapoor may soon find himself working with ace filmmaker Imtiaz Ali, indicates the young actor's father Rishi Kapoor.
'I'm positive that in 2010, Imtiaz and Ranbir would be beginning a film together. They have been meeting on a regular basis and are just looking at finalising on something concrete before they make a formal announcement,' says Rishi Kapoor, who was seen in Ali's 'Love Aaj Kal'.
Prodded further on what the genre, subject, leading lady and production house will be, Rishi denies being in the know.
'I never get involved in the creative aspects of Ranbir's films. He takes all his decisions himself. All I know is that Ranbir working with Imtiaz would be a great decision since I have now witnessed Imtiaz's sensibilities on a first hand basis after working with him,' said the actor who was earlier seen in 'Delhi 6'.
Rishi got quite some appreciation for his portrayal as a Sikh in 'Love Aaj Kal'.
'While working on the film, I realised that this boy (Imtiaz) is so cultured, sensible and simple. There is a saying that one's character gets reflected in his work. It was there for everyone to see in 'Love Aaj Kal', which was so honest and sincere, just like Imtiaz,' Rishi said.
If the project materialises, Ranbir will be working with yet another accomplished filmmaker. He made his debut with Sanjay Leela Bhansali's 'Saawariya' and later featured in Siddharth Anand's 'Bachna Ae Haseeno'.
Currently, he is working with Raj Kumar Santoshi in 'Ajab Prem Ki Ghazab Kahani', Prakash Jha in 'Rajneeti', Shimit Amin for the forthcoming 'Rocket Singh - Salesman Of The Year' and Ayan Mukerji in 'Wake Up Sid'.
When asked about it, Imtiaz said: 'Honestly speaking, nothing has been finalised yet. Yes, Ranbir and I have been meeting each other for quite some time and have been bouncing off story ideas. Still, we are yet to close on a story line.
'I have always placed my story before anything else. Whether it is 'Love Aaj Kal', 'Jab We Met' or 'Socha Na Tha', the story has always been of paramount importance.'
So is he or is he not signing Ranbir?
'I definitely want to work with him. However, I will announce my cast once the story is finalised. Making any comments before that would be immaterial and unwarranted,' he said.

Love Aaj Kal grosses Rs 62 cr worldwide

MUMBAI: Love Aaj Kal, co-produced by the Eros International and Saif Ali Khan's Illuminati films, has registered impressive opening weekend
collections.

The film, directed by Imtiaz Ali, grossed Rs 62 crore worldwide, according to Eros. Of this, Rs 47 crore came from the Indian box office, while Rs 15 crore came from overseas markets.

Love Aaj Kal was released across 1,800 plus screens world-wide on Friday. The film has performed better at the multiplexes than at single screen theatres.

In the UK, the film grossed almost £4.1 lakh, while in Australia its collections were Australian $2 lakh. In Pakistan, the film grossed Pakistani Rs 1.05 crore for 211 shows over the weekend, and in the US it collected $2,51,799.

It's make or break time for Saif Ali Khan

Saif Ali Khan is getting the jitters, but is equally confident as 'Love Aaj Kal' is set to test his abilities this Friday.

Without doubt, the expectations from 'Love Aaj Kal' are humungous and this makes actor turned producer Saif Ali Khan anxious. He's got a lot riding on this film, which is predicted to toss him into the industry's Top 3 slot, if luck sides him. "'Love Aaj Kal' gives me very positive vibes. But, trust me, I don't like the number game. We should be our own competition," Saif tells me.

'Love Aaj Kal' has got a near perfect mixture -- hot properties in Saif and Deepika, one of the finest directors in Imtiaz Ali, music that's already set hearts pacing [Pritam] and a story that's rather intriguing. But people are bound to compare it with Imtiaz's 'Jab We Met'.

"It's an unfair comparison. Comparing the two films is like comparing two different people, even though the maker is the same. This film is an individual by itself. Why, Imtiaz even wanted to get rid of the card 'From the director of Jab We Met' in the promos, but I insisted on it," Saif reveals.

Industry watchers predict 'Love Aaj Kal' will be Saif's biggest opener ever, the position earlier held by 'Race'. "It's flattering, but scary. It's like; I'm throwing a party, but am scared too. What if no one shows up? It's so unpredictable these days. See how RACE shocked us all, its opening was mind-boggling," he states.

Let's go back a bit. What made Saif turn producer? "The credit goes to Eros. There was a period when everyone wanted to grow and Eros said they wanted to back my decisions. So they gave me money and we agreed to make two films. Also, eventually, you do like to have a control over your films," he reasons.

Saif also gives complete credit to his producer-partner Dinesh Vijan. "I was merely an actor on the sets, while Dinesh took all production-related calls. Imtiaz too wanted me to be just the actor on his sets, so that I could concentrate. Sure, I was aware of what was going on... [pauses] Dinesh and I think very much alike and we're doing this for the love of films. I could've opted for someone more experienced and prolific, but the wavelength wouldn't have been the same," he admits.

Now that 'Love Aaj Kal' opens this Friday, Saif and Dinesh are ready to move on to their next project -- 'Agent Vinod'. "After that I begin shooting for 'Race 2'," he concludes.

'Love Aaj Kal' will be a trendsetter: Deepika Padukone

Deepika Padukone on her Kal In-Laws, her Aaj love Ranbir, her aaj kal idea about love, her being a love guru, Saif's love tips, and more!
Producers Aaj Kal

"I think both Saif Ali Khan and Dinesh Vijan have been extremely professional. I couldn't tell for a minute that they are first time producers. They have left no stone unturned. Right from approaching me for the film to the time that we are now ready to showcase our film to the world. Today's producers are more agile and are jack of all. They are young, think new and are far more experienced in the film industry than other independent producers."

Imtiaz Kal

"Having worked with Imtiaz Ali, I can definitely tell that the success of his earlier film 'Jab We Met' hasn't got into him. He hasn't even realised to date how big a film 'Love Aaj Kal' has turned out to be. That's what makes him special. The fact that Imtiaz is here to make good cinema and not be affected by the success or the failure of the film. What makes it even more special is the fact that Imtiaz had signed me for this film before Om Shanti Om had released. That brings in you a lot of confidence."

Imtiaz Aaj

"I would call him a new age director. But he does have sensibilities as an Indian and what the Indian cinema is really about. He has a good balance of both."

The film

"The film is what the title is. Love was the same twenty years back or today. It has never changed. For different people, it might be different things. What's good about this film is that every generation will relate to this film. Like I said, love is a universal language. Everyone experience it at some point in their life. That's the USP of the film. I'm sure people are going to use the same lines that Saif and I have used in 'Love Aaj Kal'. It'll be a trendsetter."

Saif Ali Khan Aaj

"He is one of the most talented actors our film industry has. He is also someone who has brought in a different kind of actor after 'Dil Chahta Hai'. Apart from that, 'Dil Chahta Hai' was the first of its kind of new cinema to venture out of the traditional commercial films being churned out. Saif Ali Khan has also improved his dancing skills (laughs) off late. There isn't any other change except that he has grown a beard and plays a sardar."

Deepika's Love Aaj

"I believe in being loved and being in a beautiful relationship. I've seen my parents in a lovely twenty five years of their marriage and happy together. That's what I've seen all my life. Both together always. I am like that and so is Ranbir. Nothing has changed between me and Ranbir. We've spent a lot of time together and in return we've known each other better. I am comfortable with Ranbir today."

Elvis is Singh! Saif dons the legend's robes for 'Love Aaj Kal'

Was that the late rock-and-roll legend Elvis Presley doing the jig in the promotional track of 'Love Aaj Kal'? But why was he wearing a pagri? Take a closer look -- it's our very own Saif Ali Khan.

For his home production 'Love Aaj Kal', Saif has appeared in one of the getups of Rock-n-Roll legend Elvis Presley. He has done so for the promotional track 'Aahun Aahun' which has just been unveiled.

'It wasn't planned this way but things just fell in place. I was in conversation with Dolly Ahluwalia, the costume designer, and we were discussing the retro outfits from the mid-60s. There was just one answer that we got -- Presley,' reveals director Imtiaz Ali who got Saif into the costume.

The song is a twin celebration of sorts since it showcases Saif from both 60s as well as the current times.

A fusion piece that has various flavours of Punjabi, Hindi as well as English coming together not just lyrically but also musically, 'Aahun Aahun' features the 60s Saif as a Sikh singing in Punjabi while the current generation Saif croons in Hindi and English.

'That's the way the entire song was designed,' said Imtiaz.

'Even though 'Aahun Aahun' is a promotional song, we didn't want Saif to slip out of the character. This is the reason why we had different costumes, settings and dance moves designed for both.'

Building on the idea, the team thought of showcasing Saif in a dance competition.

'Once we had the Elvis idea in place, the dance competition too fell in place. There is an elaborate sequence as a part of the song where Saif as a Sikh gets into the Elvis garb with his trademark white outfit. He challenges the modern day Saif in a dancing competition and the result is to see two Saif Ali Khans trying to be one up over the other in the same frame,' Imtiaz said.

The song also features Deepika Padukone in a stunning western outfit.

Pritam has put together the entire Punjabi-English-Hindi composition, while lyricist Irshad Kamil has brought youth flavour to the song. It has been sung by Neeraj Sridhar, Master Saleem and Suzanne.

Imtiaz says that though 'Aahun Aahun' is a promotional track, it won't be killed in the film.

'We can't infuse it unnecessarily as a part of the narrative because it won't make sense,' said Imtiaz.

'However, though it comes in the end credits of the film, it won't be wasted. Just like 'Mauja Hi Mauja' [Jab We Met] which got its due, even 'Aahun Aahun' will have its place under the sun.'

Humungous expectations from 'Love Aaj Kal'

There're humungous expectations from 'Love Aaj Kal', but Imtiaz Ali isn't nervous. "People are bound to compare 'Love Aaj Kal' with 'Jab We Met', but that's something I'm not worried about. Neither am I nervous. And nor am I getting any sleepless nights. I guess, it's an emotional defect," Imtiaz chuckles.

'Love Aaj Kal' marks the debut of Saif Ali Khan as a producer. "When Saif first told me he was keen to produce the film, I was surprised. I asked him the reasons for turning producer and I was convinced when he spelt them out. He wants to make movies that he believes in and our thoughts matched completely," Imtiaz reveals, "But Saif also clarified that he'd concentrate on acting only, while Dinesh would look after the day-to-day production."

Since the film is produced by Saif himself, one expected Kareena Kapoor to star in the film, but it's Deepika Padukone this time. "I wouldn't be justifying her [Kareena] talent if I didn't give her the same importance as in 'Jab We Met'. Deepika was always my first choice and I must add, she has enacted her part with amazing understanding. I am sure, people will be pleasantly surprised," Imtiaz divulges.

Not many are aware that Imtiaz was keen on calling the film 'Aaj Kal', since the film talks of kal [Rishi Kapoor] and aaj [Saif]. "Since the film is primarily a love story, we decided to add 'Love' before 'Aaj Kal'. That explains the title," Imtiaz adds.

So what's his next move? "I haven't finalized a script yet, but I have one film with Shree Ashtavinayak and another with Sajid Nadiadwala," he reveals.

'Love Aaj Kal' is a family film: Imtiaz Ali

Imtiaz Ali openly admits that his upcoming 'Love Aaj Kal', which stars Saif Ali Khan and Deepika Padukone, has unabashed kissing scenes and shows the lead actors mouthing expletives, but the director insists that it will still be a complete family entertainer.

The director says he has included the so-called objectionable scenes in the movie's promos so that people are already used to it by the time they see the film.

"See, it's the way you put it in the film and treat it. It's up to the filmmaker not to make his film some fodder for perversion or lechery." Ali told us.

Ali promises that 'Love Aaj Kal", which is Saif's production debut, is a film that would be accepted by an entire family.

"Kisses included," he winks. "Nobody will feel inhibited watching 'Love Aaj Kal'. No one will hesitate walking into the film with his family. All that is potentially objectionable in the film in the strictest of sense has been taken care of in the first promo. If you have warmed up on it, rest assured you will love 'Love Aaj Kal'," the filmmaker said.

'Love Aaj Kal' is his third love story after 'Socha Na Tha' and the blockbuster 'Jab We Met'.

But there were people around Ali who weren't too comfortable with the idea of showing Saif trying to hold Deepika's butt, then share an unabashed kiss with her in the car and also mouth Hinglish expletives on a date right in the promo itself.

"They thought that people may get an impression that the film was only about these things but I had my own viewpoint," explains Ali.

"My argument is that audiences are really smart. They pretty much see the intention of the filmmaker and make up their mind to watch the film accordingly. We better start taking them seriously rather than attempt at fooling them by considering ourselves over smart," he says.

To substantiate his claim, Ali goes on to share an anecdote from his experience during the making of "Jab We Met", which starred Shahid Kapoor and Kareena Kapoor.

"Remember the sequence in the second half of the film when Kareena curses her ex-boyfriend on phone? She goes on to say 'Teri Maa Ki' and a lot more. Did the audience feel awkward? Not at all. In fact they laughed during the entire scene and not a single soul came and told me that he/she felt offended by the language," Ali reasons.

The director, however, admits that for 'Love Aaj Kal', the prime target audience is the younger crowd.

"And that's more by accident rather than planned," he says. "The film caters to them mainly because it's this age group that goes and sees films in theatres. Due to this, even when I am conceptualising a film and then putting it on celluloid, I feel safe from my target audience perspective," he explains.

With music by Pritam and lyrics by Irshad Kamil, 'Love Aaj Kal' is set for a July 31 release.