Heroine not just for glamour in films: Sriram Raghavan

By Hindustan Times

Filmmaker Sriram Raghavan wanted an A-level actress to cast opposite Saif in Agent Vinod and decided that Kareena would be the ideal choice to play the mysterious character in the action thriller that released on Friday.

"A heroine's role should not be just to add glamour. There should be a specific character. So I made sure that I get an A-level actress (for 'Agent Vinod') and Kareena was our choice," Raghavan told IANS.

"Kareena has a mysterious character in the film and I definitely wanted a good actress for it. I love Kareena as an actress; so we just thought why not her," he added.

However, Raghavan was apprehensive about one thing regarding roping in Kareena for "Agent Vinod" as she would have to be cast opposite her real life beau Saif Ali Khan.

"The only worry was Saif and Kareena are a real life couple. So I didn't know if it will work or not. But I was convinced while making the film that they will justify the role," he said of his experience while making the action thriller, which hit the screens Friday.

Agent Vinod is Raghavan's only film which took him double the time that he usually takes to direct movie projects.

"It took three years to come up with this film. When we were writing the script, we let our imagination go wild. It's almost like I did two movies with 'Agent Vinod' because my other movies have taken 50 days to get made, but this film has taken 100 days," Raghavan said.

Raghavan is known to have directed thrillers like Ek Hasina Thi and Johnny Gaddar. Now post-Agent Vinod, he plans to step out of his comfort zone and experiment with different genres.

"It's not that I only want to make thrillers. But I have been partial to thriller films. If somebody has a good script, I would love to make a love story or a children's film.

"I like every genre except for out-and-out comedy. I am not good at it. The other things I will attempt for sure...like children's film, drama or a love story," he added.

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I would like to do more films for sure: Karisma

By Hindustan Times

Last seen on the big screen in 2006 box office dud Zamaanat, actor Karisma Kapoor, 37, is excited about filmmaker Vikram Bhatt’s Dangerous Ishq, which marks her return to films after a long hiatus. The actor, who married businessman Sunjay Kapur in 2003, says the gap was to devote all her
attention to raising her kids — daughter Samaira (7) and son Kiaan (2).

Read on as Karisma — who’s recently been roped in as the brand ambassador of real estate brand Avalon Group — talks about her kids, career and sister Kareena Kapoor’s much-anticipated marriage with Saif Ali Khan, while choosing not to comment on her own marriage.

Karisma speaks:
On her film
I have a strong role in Dangerous Ishq. It was challenging to work in 3D format

On item song
I am not doing any item song in Rowdy Rathore or for that matter, any film at the moment

On work-life balance
It is all about prioritising things in one’s life. It is not difficult to strike that balance

On break from films
It’s nice to do films. But I wanted to focus on my family and kids, so I chose TV over films

On Saif-Kareena
Whenever they will decide to get married, they will announce it to everyone including the media. Nothing is planned as of now.

On future projects
I would like to do more films for sure. The roles have to be very interesting. I am reading scripts, but things are yet to be finalised.

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Wish I could hire Aamir to market my films: Anurag Kashyap

Hrithik-Suzzane spooted with brood!

Sorry, I could not read the content fromt this page.

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Anurag, Imtiaz to reveal unreleased films

By Hindustan Times

Mumbai, March 13 -- Movie buffs will soon be treated to a sneak peek into the undisclosed work of two popular Bollywood directors.

At the upcoming Wassup Andheri Festival, the first of its kind in the movie-obsessed suburb, Imtiaz Ali (Rockstar, 2011) and Anurag Kashyap (Dev D, 2009) will screen two of their unreleased films for attendees.

The initiative is part of a filmmaking workshop to be held on location, where 12 aspiring directors will get a chance to be mentored by the acclaimed directors. "Imtiaz and Anurag have two very distinct styles of filmmaking. On the first day, as part of our launch, they will each screen an unreleased film for the public to watch. They are close friends too, so the session should be fun to watch," says Ajay Modgil, initiator of the festival, adding, "We've shortlisted 12 contestants, who'll be divided into two groups of six. Each group will be under the tutelage of one director, who will guide them in making their films."

Based on the topic 'the girl and the autorickshaw', each of the contestants will have to shoot at least 30 seconds of their short film during the festival. Once the work is complete, the mentors will switch roles, and judge each other's teams. "Two finalists will be chosen, and their film will be screened for the audience, who will vote to decide the winner," says Modgil. While there is a cash bounty awaiting the winner, Modgil reveals that there is a larger pay-off for whoever impress es the celebrity judges. "The exact amount for the cash prize hasn't been finalised yet. But the real reward is s that the winner can choose which of the two directors, Imtiaz or Anurag, he or she would like to assist on their next film."

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R Madhavan takes a break from films!

By Hindustan Times

Actor R Madhavan, who has acted popular Bollywood films like Rang De Basanti and 3 Idiots, is taking a six month break from movies.

The 41-year-old was last seen in Bipasha Basu starrer Jodi Breakers, which bombed at the box office. He is currently wrapping up an ad film. "Finally
done. Last day of shoot for the next 6 months. Finally a break after 12years. Am off for that much delayed and deserved Sabbatical," he posted on Twitter.

Madhavan began his acting career with television guest appearances and got his much needed break in Gautham Menon's Rehnaa Hai Terre Dil Mein.

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