Wednesday, 2 April 2014

Ram Gopal Varma is ‘on producers’ wish list’ DC | Lipika Varma | April 03, 2014, 00.04 am IST

Ram Gopal Varma is ‘on producers’ wish list’

Ram Gopal Varma File photo

Hyddrabad: Ram Gopal Varma, who will be releasing his film Rowdy in the US this week, has been quite busy with his projects down South. “It’s nothing like that. I have been busy making films in South as well as in Bollywood,” he says, adding that it really does not make a difference to him in which industry he works.

“I always have intriguing subjects in my mind. I have a base in Hyderabad, so I stay here and this time I wanted to make a Telugu film,” he explains. Whether his films make money or not, the director never falls short of producers. Explaining the phenomenon, Ram Gopal Varma says, “The point is that a filmmaker has to have great scripts. Thus, be it in South or in Bollywood, producers always have me on their wish list.”

‘regarding politics, I support only those I know closely’ With the elections coming up, we ask Ramu, who is from Seemandhra, about who would get his vote and whether he had political ambitions. “I am not inclined towards any party, nor am I contesting from anywhere. Media has highlighted my political plans wrongly.

The media nowadays does not even bother to ask us before quoting. I still wonder who their sources are,” he says. “I am not partial to anyone as the PM. Whoever enters politics assures about bringing about changes for the better and we are all looking forward for those changes. For me all are the same,” he adds.

Talking further about his perception of politics and politicians, RGV says, “With not much changes brought about till this day, the politicians need to try and make our country better. He can be from any political party. Personally, I only support my friends and those I know closely.”

His next project Asked about his next Hindi film, RGV says, “I am not yet done with the script. I can only confirm that I will announce a Hindi film around June-July.”

Salman and I work out together: Satya Manjrekar Deccan Chronicle | Lipika Varma | April 02, 2014, 18.04 pm IST

Salman and I work out together: Satya Manjrekar

Actor Satya Mangrekar and Salman Khan.

Mumbai: Not many know that Satya Manjrekar is the son of Mahesh Manjrekar and Deepa Mehta. Satya has undoubtedly got the support of his parents, and his godfather -- none other than Salman Khan -- for a career in films.

Satya, who is rising under Salman's protective wings, said, "I am happy to be launched in Marathi film 'Janiva' which I deservedly got through my own hard work. I did not accept my launch pad through my dad Mahesh Manjrekar. I did not want to be a liability on him. But yes! Once I am through with this film, I will have gained a lot of experience. And if my dad still expects me to join him, I shall be happy to support him.”

Enthusiastic about his actual launch, which will be done by none other than Salman Khan, he adds: "Salman and I work out together in his gym. He makes me do a lot of push-ups. He also makes me do 'surya-namaskar'".

”He was the one who told me to do 'Janiva'. As this will help me learn to face the camera. I will have to be less shy. I agreed to his proposal just because of Salman’s advice. I auditioned for the film and am happy to have got this film. I regularly meet him and try to pick up a tip or two from him.”

He added, "I have inherited the quality of acting from my father. But my mom has also been an integral part in enabling me to reach and achieve my goals. It’s just the beginning. I am just 20 and have to go a long way.”

RGV IS ON PRODUCERS WISH LIST/lipika varma/3.4.2014/deccan chronicle

Tuesday, 1 April 2014

my dad let me dominate me/lipika varma/asian age/1.4.2014

‘My dad let me dominate him’

Apr 01, 2014 - Lipika Varma |

Age Correspondent

“Today is a very important day for me,” says Soundarya, explaining, “I am in the same room with appa and Amitabh uncle, presenting my dream project Kochadaiiyaan.”
She is naturally proud of the fact that no Indian film has used the technology of photo-realistic performance capture before this. For the Indian audience, the superhit science fiction film Avatar would be an ideal example of this technology’s usage. “Kochadaiiyaan is an animated film,” says Soundarya, adding, “But you can’t call it a cartoon. The actors’ facial expressions were captured and assimilated in a visual form.”
“Kochadaiiyaan is dear to my heart. He is a dancer and a warrior and to see my father do the Rudra Tandav felt as though God had come down from heaven. It’s thanks to his support, that I have been able to make my dream come true. I have treasured this dream for almost six years.”

Technology milestone
“A lot of things can be added through this technology,” explains Soundarya, “Sets can be created and action sequences can be choreographed with impressive effects. For example, all the super heroes can be brought alive with this on to the big screen. Deepika, Jacky and Rahman Sir have contributed a lot to this film. My dad has added the charisma of his voice in one song. Rahman Sir and I had discussed it much ahead and Rahman Sir simply asked him to lend his voice. Surprisingly, he instantly agreed.”

Daughter as well as a director
“I am blessed again to be able to direct my dad. The performance of my father doing the Rudra Tandav was breathtaking and made me feel as though dad was able to bring that rain in real. I could not see anybody else as Lord Shiva performing the Tandav other than Rajinikanth.
“I too am his diehard fan. No one could do justice to the character of Kochadaiiyan,” she says, adding, “Yes, it was emotional directing dad. At times as a director I would make him do what I wanted. But when his scenes would get over, the daughter in me would surface. I would see to it that he was comfortable on the sets and also that he reached home safely as soon as he was through with his day’s schedule.
“It would be too much to say that I am dominating by nature. Though I did dominate dad. But I could do so only because he allowed me to dominate him,” she adds.

Childhood dream
“I always read Amar Chitra Katha as a child and those pictorial characters played in my mind for years. Thanks to mum and dad that my long-cherished dreams have been fulfilled through this technology for the first time in India. I am proud to be the first Indian woman who will be remembered in history for this adventure.”

Delay in release?
“God has been kind for I have completed the film successfully. According to me, there is no delay in the release of the film. The process of the film took a long time. We are finishing the film and it has cleared the censor formalities. Due to the elections, we are in two minds and are yet to finalise the date. The film will not be releasing on April 11. We have to finalise a few more processes,” says the director.

Images in her mind
Soundarya says that to her, it has always been about images. “Dad has seen me growing up with this dream. I would never read novels. I was always inclined to read stories with images. So before going to the floors I was ready with an image screenplay. My mind needs images to highlight my thought process more clearly. I have been passionate about storytelling in a creative manner.”

‘My dream has come true’ DC | Lipika Varma | April 01, 2014, 11.04 am IST

‘My dream has come true’

Movie Kochadaiiyaan Poster

Hyderabad: Superstar Rajinikanth’s daughter and director of the path-breaking film Kochadaiiyaan, Soundarya, speaks to DC about the film, her father and technology that made the film possible

“Today is a very important day for me,” says Soundarya, explaining, “I am in the same room with appa and Amitabh uncle, presenting my dream project Kochadaiiyaan.” She is proud of the fact that no Indian film has used the technology of photo-realistic performance capture before this. For the Indian audience, the superhit science fiction film Avatar would be an ideal example of this technology’s usage. “Kochadaiiyaan is an animated film, but you can’t call it a cartoon. The actors’ facial expressions were captured and assimilated in a visual form,” says Soundarya.

“Kochadaiiyaan is dear to my heart. He is a dancer and a warrior and to see my father do the Rudra Tandav felt as though God had come down from heaven. I could not see anybody else as Lord Shiva performing the Tandav other than Rajinikanth.”
“I too am his diehard fan. Rajini stands for doing everything impossible… No one else could be my Kochadaiiyaan,” she says, adding, “Yes, it was emotional directing dad. As a director I would make him do what I wanted. But when his scenes would get over the daughter in me would surface. I would see to it that he was comfortable on the sets and also that he reached home safely as soon as he was through with his day’s schedule. Thanks to his support I have been able to make my dream come true. I’ve treasured this dream for almost six years.”

The technology
“A lot of things can be added through this technology,” says Soundarya, explaining, “Sets can be created and action sequences can be choreographed with impressive effects. For example, all the super heroes can be brought alive with this on to the big screen. Deepika, Jackie and Rahman Sir have contributed a lot to this film. My dad has added the charisma of his voice in one song. Rahman and I had discussed it much ahead and Rahman simply asked him to lend his voice. He instantly agreed.”
“There is a situation where ‘K’ wins a fight and says, “Dushmano ko harane ke sirf do hi tarike hein, pehla tarika hai mafi.” This line symbolises the character of ‘K’.

Childhood dream
“I always read Amar Chitra Katha as a child and those pictorial characters played in my mind for years. Thanks to mum and dad, that these long-cherished stories have come alive through this technology for the first time in India. Yes, I am proud to be the first Indian woman who will be remembered in history for this adventure.”

Delay in release?
“According to me, there is no delay in the release of the film. The process of the film took a long time. We are finishing the film and it has cleared the censor formalities... Due to the elections, we are in two minds and are yet to finalise the date. The film will not be releasing on April 11. We have to finalise a few more things.” she says.

Unique marketing
“I think marketing of this film, being a first of its kind, is very essential. Being a photo-realistic film, the audiences need to be made aware about this kind of film,” Soundarya explains, adding, “The rushes from the shoot motion captured from the expressions of the artistes’ comprise the scenes and lead to the intriguing tale. People have acted in the film and it is thus not a ‘cartoon flick’.”

Images in her head
Soundarya says that to her, it has always been about images. “Dad has seen me growing up with this dream. I would never read novels. I was always inclined to read stories with images. So before going to the floors I was ready with an image screenplay. My mind needs images to highlight my thought process more clearly. I have been passionate about storytelling in a creative manner. I hope the audiences understand — this film is not an alternate film, it is an action captured technology. We also have the commercial angle to it with Rajini, Deepika and the choreographers Saroj Khan and Chinni Prakash.”

Oh My God

Wednesday, 2 April 2014