Vishal Bhardwaj’s Indian version of Shakespeare’s famous novel ‘Othello’ has been invited to Cannes Film Festival and for the promotions of the film in a big way its makers are taking the entire cast including Ajay Devgan, Kareena Kapoor, Saif Ali Khan, Konkana Sen Sharma and Vivek Oberoi along with director Vishal to the festival.

At Cannes, the film will have a six to seven minute screening. Actress Kareena who is much charged up about the film said, “I’m definitely planning my trip to Cannes this summer. I believe Ajay and Saif will also come along. The producer, Kumar Mangat, is going so far as to put up an Othello stall at Cannes. I think it’ll be a great experience. People are already curious about it.”

Meanwhile, Othello name deciding contest with a relevant tagline ‘What’s in a name’ (which is also taken from Shakespeare) will open up to the public next week where the public will choose their favorite title among the three short listed one’s - Omkara, O Saathi Re and Issak. (more…)

Actor Saif Ali Khan who went through an emergency appendectomy on Thursday at Kuala Lumpur while shooting for an ad says he is fine now. The only shoot to have been affected by Saif’s ill health is Vishal Bhardwaj’s Othello where he was supposed to return on Friday. Now Vishal will shoot Saif’s remaining portion in Mumbai, whenever possible.

On the professional front, Saif is most excited about Othello. “The cast of this film has a great mix of so-called thinking and commercial actors. You have the NSD bunch like Naseeruddin Shah on one hand, and commercial actors like Ajay Devgan and me, on the other. We used to have great fun on the sets, referring to each other disparagingly, saying things like, “You theatre-wallah” or you “commercial type”,” he laughs.

“I must say that the highbrow NSD crowd has scant respect for us commercial stars. They feel ‘Unko kya ma1oom (what does they know)? I don’t think too many directors are too comfortable working with actors from both genres. Othello is the first film in which the two worlds of art and masala movies join hands in a big way” He added. (more…)

Evergreen lyricist Gulzar was nominated for three of his works in this year’s Filmfare awards - ‘Dheere jalna’ from ‘Paheli’, ‘Chup chup ke’ from ‘Bunty Aur Babli’ and ‘Kajra re’ again from ‘Bunty Aur Babli’. Of course his ‘Kajra re’ was the hot favorite of everyone. Gulzar thinks this award wining song is not devoid of poetry. At this moment he is writing songs for editor Shirish Kunder’s directorial debut ‘Jaan-E-Man’ and wants to learn the language of mainstream cinema.

You seem to be on a quest for new peaks to conquer.
Recently I returned from Chennai after a music sitting with Mani Ratnam and A.R. Rahman. We are working together again after ‘Dil Se’ for Mani’s ‘Guru’. Again we’ll try to attempt a different sound. Guru has a serious layer below the surface, which I’ll tap as a poet. Mani Ratnam is the only director who asks for abstract images. It’s lovely to share my poetry with him. His Hindi is getting better. But I’m lagging behind. My Tamil should improve soon.

As a lyricist, I’d say my first turning point as an abstract lyricist was ‘Humne dekhi hai un aankhon ki mehekti khushboo’ in ‘Khamoshi’. Another turning point was Mani Ratnam’s ‘Dil Se’ where with ‘Chaiyyan chaiyyan’ my sufiyana phase started. Now let’s see, perhaps with ‘Guru’ there will be another turning point. It’s wonderful to work with a director who expresses scenes musically. (more…)