Gattu' soars with success at Berlin Fest

Gattu', Rajan Khosa's latest children's flick for Children's Film Society of India, winning the Special Mention Award from International Jury at the Berlin Film Festival in the competition category.


This award comes post the first screening where Khosa expresses his excitement at the kids sitting engrossed, and laughing at the right places. "It was a 1025 seater, packed with kids, and then Q & A. About 400 of them lined up for autographs. The best was some of them got up after the film and shouted 'once more', once more'.... And it was such a cute Q and A session," enthuses Khosa. "The award that followed is very encouraging."
"I am so happy for CFSI and Rajan Khosa," enthuses CFSI Chairperson Nandita Das. "Gattu is a charming, well-told story that would connect with anyone in the world, more so in India. We feel encouraged with this appreciation and hope to get good partners for the April release."
Added director Rajan Khosa, "The Berlin fest was a very prestigious platform. I am thankful to CFSI that we could be there and make our mark." Khosa is an alumnus of the Royal College of Arts, London and a voting member of the British Academy of Film and Television Arts (BAFTA), and already has several international awards under his belt.
'Gattu' is the story of a little village orphan child labourer, whose aim is to cut the large black kite Kaali with his kite-flying skills. The adventurous spirit of this little boy finally leads him to leading a normal kid's life, complete with an adoring foster parent in his employer and education!

'Ek Main Aur Ekk Tu' to fall short of 50 crores mark

Though the weekend collections of 'Ek Main Aur Ekk Tu' had suggested a comfortable 50 crore run, the collections didn't quite hold on to the same proportion over the weekdays, hence indicating that this Karan Johar production would now have to settle for a relatively lesser amount.
Not that anyone connected to Dharma Productions would be complaining since the film has done it's job. It was designed as a safe outing, released as a safe film and ultimately resulted in one as well. There were never any records waiting to be broken while it was quite obvious that it would end up earning moolah as well. This means that with a little over 30 crore coming after the end of first week (where Valentine's Day collections added to the weekend total were the biggest contributors), the film has ended up being a semi-hit.

However, though one expected the film to turn into a clean hit (provided the weekdays would have been far stable and second weekend collections were good as well) that hasn't quite happened. The film hasn't crashed but then it hasn't managed to create a stranglehold either. Moreover, despite more or less nil competition in the second weekend, the trend indicates at least 70% drop. All of this means that while 40 crores is still on the cards, anything more than that would be an added bonus for the film.

As mentioned last week though, for Imran Khan and Kareena Kapoor the film is still a good enough reason to smile as they have managed to sustain their successful run. However both the actors would now definitely be looking at a film which gathers far more pan-India acceptance when compared to the niche markets where 'Ek Main Aur Ekk Tu' has done well.

Vikram moves on from 'Haunted' to 'Dangerous Ishq

Vikram Bhatt had met with a good success in the form of 'Haunted' last year. While it was one of the first clean hits of the year, one would have expected him and others associated with the film to make some good noise about it. One wonders why everyone chose to keep silent.

See, last year there were a lot of successful films. Around the time 'Haunted' released, there were other successful films like 'Yamla Pagla Deewana', 'Tanu Weds Many' and then later 'Pyaar Ka Punchnama' and so on and so forth. Since there was a hit film practically every month, audience too latched on to a newer hit and in the bargain the one that was successful just a week before became old news. It's okay though since no single individual can be in the business of successful films all the time. I couldn't have just held on to 'Haunted' success and felt content with it; I had to move on to 'Dangerous Ishq'," says Vikram.

With Jimmy Sheirgill and Rajniesh Duggall in the lead roles along with Divya Dutta and Ruslaan Mumtaz, 'Dangerous Ishq' with music by Himesh Reshammiya is a co-production of Dar Motion Pictures, BVG Films and Reliance Entertainment and releases all over on 11th May.

Ramu's 'Department' to benefit from Sanju's popularity

Sanjay Dutt's bravura act as 'Kaancha' in 'Agneepath' has done the trick for many other filmmakers who had signed the actor when the chips were down for him. With a roaring popularity enjoyed by Sanju post an all around appreciation he has received for his villainous act, one director who is all set to benefit most is none other than Ram Gopal Varma.

When Ram Gopal Varma signed Sanjay Dutt for 'Department' more than a year back, there was decent excitement but not the kind that is attached to blockbusters," comments an industry insider, "Neither Sanju nor Ramu had delivered a hit for quite some time. Also, there was some bad blood with casting flip-flops resulting in Abhishek Bachchan being out and Rana Daggubati stepping in."

"The equation has changed though with Sanju baba hitting a six with 'Agneepath'," he says, "Suddenly there is a renewed interest in the film and since this would be Sanju's next release after 'Agneepath', the makers have a renewed marketing plan being laid out to take maximum advantage of his newfound popularity."


Also starring Rana Daggubati and Amitabh Bachchan (in a special appearance), 'Department' is all set for June release.

Esha Deol engaged

Esha Deol, daughter of Hema Malini and Dharmendra, was officially engaged to her boyfriend Bharat Takhtani at a small family ceremony in Mumbai, attended by close relatives on Sunday (February 12).

The private ceremony took place Sunday morning at the celebrity family's Juhu bungalow. Talking to journalists later, Hema said, "We are very happy today for Esha and Bharat. It is a happy moment for all of us. Bharat is a very nice person. I am happy and I thank everyone for their blessings.

Though the media was not invited, photo journalists and videographers gathered in front of Hema's residence in large numbers. Following this, Esha and Bharat came out of the house and posed for photographs.

A smiling Esha showed off her ring to the lens men. Clad in a pink saree and traditional jewels, the actress was seen very much comfortable in the company of Bharat. The engagement ceremony is a perfect Valentines' Day gift for this young couple.

Veteran filmmaker OP Dutta is no more

B-town old timer writer-producer OP Dutta passed away last night around 9.30 pm. Dutta was admitted to the hospital on February 7 and he succumbed to complications of pneumonia yesterday
OP Dutta is the father of B-town known filmmaker J.P. Dutta who made movies like 'Border', 'Gulami'.

OP Dutta began his career in 1948 as a director of 'Pyaar Ki Jeet' starring Suraiya. One of the song from the film "Is Dil Ke Tukde Hazaar Hue" by Rafi is still remembered as Rafi's one of best.

His last work was the script of new 'Umrao Jaan' starring Abhishek Bachchan and Aishwarya Rai Bachchan. OP Dutta also penned Abhishek Bachchan's debut flick 'Refugee'.

The Jr. Bachchan expressed grief over his demise on Twitter thus, "As soon as I get off the stage, I receive the terrible news of the passing of Mr O P Dutta. Father to J P Dutta. The director who launched me.. O P ji was J P saab's writer and dialogue writer. He penned my very first words that I ever said on screen. Such a loving man."

"Full of zest, positivity and compassion. Had a great sense of humor and so rich in experience. He taught me one of my greatest lessons in life..."jab bura apni burayi na chode, phir achcha apni achchayi kyun chode?" the actor added.

We at IndiaGlitz pray that his soul rests in peace.

'Dabangg 2' not with UTV

UTV Motion Pictures has denied buying rights of B-town macho Khan Salman Khan's most awaited sequel of 'Dabangg'.

In an official release received by IndiaGlitz, UTV has denied the reports of a deal of 140 crores for the rights of 'Dabangg 2
The release says, "There have been irresponsible reports in certain sections of the media that UTV has bought the rights for Dabangg 2 for Rs. 140 crores, despite us clearly denying this. We would like to clarify that UTV has not purchased the rights of the movie in question. We have been very open about announcing our new projects and communicated them to the media and will continue to do so. We hope this puts all speculations to rest."

A section of the media carried report of 'Dabangg 2' being bought by UTV at 140 crores