Saif's Agent Vinod banned in Pakistan

By Hindustan Times

Saif-Kareena's spy thriller has been banned in Pakistan by Islamabad censor board. According to sources, several references to Pakistan, have not gone down well with the board. It feels that the storyline could hurt sentiments in Pakistan, say reports.

It's not the first time Saif's home production has found itself in the middle of a controversy. A Tehran-based pop band, Barobax, has pointed out striking resemblances to their 2010 track, Soosan khanoom. Not just the peppy beats, but also the music video set in Café Paris, has invited comparisons, given that three of the band members, Khashayar, Keivan and Hamid, make funny faces and clown around, à la Saif in a hotel lobby in the video.

Youtube posts also suggest that the song also draws from Hassan Jahangir’s Hawa Hawa Khushboo Luta De.

Brushing aside the allegations, co-producer Dinesh Vijan retorts, “There is no infringement of copyright or any other right. And any attempt to initiate proceedings for alleged infringement of copyright is ill-conceived, ill-advised and untenable by law. Any action in this regard will be vigorously opposed and resisted in accordance with the law.”

Meanwhile this is that people are discussing on Twitter about the ban:

@nehathtsme: Agent Vinod banned by Pakistan Censor Board..they say its UnSaif.. :P

@satyajithpinku: Poor Saif Last tym he tried to earn mileage by Arakshan being bannd in many states, now he is trying the same with PAK banning Agent Vinod

@rameshsrivats: Agent Vinod is banned in Pakistan, which therefore, continues to remain, an unsaif country

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LA experts for Saif’s role in Judwaa 2

By Hindustan Times

Come 2013 and Saif Ali Khan will don a dual avatar in Judwaa 2. And to make sure his double role stands out, the makers have roped in a team from the USA towork on the film’s special effects. Confirms producer Sajid Nadiadwala: “Yes, we have hired a LA-based expert group and they are flying to Mumbai by April end to get started on Judwaa 2. Let’s see how things work out.”

To be directed by the Housefull series director, Sajid Khan, the film is likely to go on floors by February next year. Nadiadwala informs that the story is ready. “Now, I am working on the screenplay with a team of writers,” he says, adding that the idea is to come up with “never-seen-before” special effects.

“The original came out in 1996, and a lot has changed since then in terms of technology and audiences’ expectations. So, we plan to take the ‘double role’ factor to a level that no one can even think of,” says the producer.

How exactly will the technology work on Saif’s double role? “It’s very difficult to explain, but with the help of special effects, both the characters will talk, run, fight and sing in a way no one has seen till date. We will make two similar-looking people in the same frame do a few things that are otherwise not possible,” says Nadiadwala.

Although initial work on Judwaa 2 has started, the makers are yet to sit with Saif about the project. The producer explains, “Since he is busy with Agent Vinod and we are caught up with Housefull 2, we haven’t had time to discuss it in detail. Once both the films release, all of us will be relieved and will have time to talk.”

Lastly, ask him if Salman Khan – who happens to be his good friend – is fine with the sequel and he says: “To be precise, it has nothing to do with Judwaa. We could name it ‘Twins’ and it would still be as exciting.” He also adds that the exact shooting dates and the female actor will be decided only after April 10. Judwaa, directed by David Dhawan, had Salman play the roles of estranged twins, Raja and Prem.

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Saif's Agent Vinod to premiere in Oman

By Hindustan Times

Bollywood actors Saif Ali Khan and Kareena Kapoor will attend the premiere of their film Agent Vinod at the seventh edition of the Muscat International Film Festival (MIFF) on March 25. Gulf News quoted the organisers, as saying in a press release that the Bollywood spy thriller is being premiered for the first time at the festival.

The film has been directed by Sriram Raghavan under the banner of Saif Ali Khan's home production, Illuminati Films.

"A bit of Tintin, a bit of Bond, a bit of Alistair McLean and well, a little bit of fun and frolic and a lot of adventure…that is what Agent Vinod, the much awaited Bollywood flick is all about," said Saif Ali Khan in a statement issued here.

The movie was shot in Morocco, Sri Lanka, Pakistan and Latvia, besides other countries.

MIFF Chairman, Dr Khalid Al Zadjali, who has the honour of making Oman''s first ever feature film Boom, was quoted, as saying: "This movie''s entry is ground-breaking as far as the nascent cinema industry in Oman is concerned."

He said that it would be great to have movie stars like Saif Ali Khan and Kareena Kapoor visiting Muscat for the MIFF.

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