srkani
Rani's World Member
Raj and Rani
Posts: 197
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Post by srkani on Oct 6, 2006 23:19:52 GMT -5
Shah Rukh yes, Abhishek no
While the audience has rooted for the Rani-Abhishek pair both on-screen and off-screen, Rani Mukherjee personally feels her pairing with the numero uno Shah Rukh Khan is the best on screen. Not only do they look good together, but she also admits that she can perform better with him as his presence brings out the best in her. Besides, Shah Rukh she loves romancing Aamir Khan too. No doubt Rani is delighted about the Abhishek-Rani pair being touted as the next big on-screen couple, but she denies any relationship between the two and claims they are just close friends and nothing more. For, Rani will settle down only with someone who is self-made, has a mind of his own and who would respect her self and her family.
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Post by Eternity on Oct 6, 2006 23:52:55 GMT -5
SRK on Rani and her phenomenal rise, in a recent interview -
"Rani has done very well for herself. I think she was always very good, but it took a film like Black to show people what she was capable of. We've done some great films together, right from Kuch Kuch Hota Hai."
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Post by Eternity on Oct 7, 2006 0:12:32 GMT -5
This interview is on BBC Asian Network website but only available for one more day so I thought I would make a transcript. If you want to listen fast forward to about 2 hours 15 mins into show and Rani talks first then Shah Rukh after her, his interview is posted under Shah Rukh section of forum.
What do you like about the role of Lachchi?
I think what really attracted to me to this role was Shah Rukh, definitely, because it was his film. And my role being that of a traditional Rajasthani girl, completely Indian and ethnic, that was lovely because I haven't played a character like that before. What is nice about her is that she is very strongwilled, she has a lot of strength and there is a lot more to her than just a pretty face.
The essence of this role is quite deep and meaningful, you have done Black, Veer Zaara and now Paheli. How do you research? Actually the research is done by the director and the team and the scriptwriters do most the research when they write the script. Although I did really have to do a lot of research for Black because it was a character I was playing that I didn't have a reference to. I had to meet people with the handicap of not being able to see or hear or talk and of course I had to learn the sign language which took me a good nine to ten months and I was constantly learning throughout the making of the film. But, for a fim like Paheli, there was this Rajasthani dialect that we had to speak so I guess that was something we had to research.
The film is woman orientated and your role is about a woman's desires, can you relate to that?
Yes I can, I think what every woman would relate to with my character is that she chooses a ghost over the husband because the husband really does not satisfy her wants and her love and it is the ghost that comes and loves her and gives her the time. I guess every woman would want her man to give her that much time because the ghost has nothing else to do, he doesn't have to earn the money and go and work so he has all the time to love her so I guess women would want that.
So who is the ghost in your life?
The ghost in my life is yet to come.
A man who has got undivided attention for you and doesn't have to do anything has yet to come. Now some questions from our listeners:
What is it about Rajasthan that you really loved?
What I really like about Rajasthan is it being so colourful, the place, their clothes, everything about the place has a very distinct look. If you see a Rajasthani woman or a place from Rajasthan you will see a difference, you cannot say that it is very similar to the south or the north. It has its own distinct look with its palaces and forts and camels in the deserts and the colours. The ladies have to wear these colours because in the desert if you are to be noticed you have to be in a striking colour.
Do you keep any of your costumes?
No, but if I really like something then I will keep it.
Who is your favourite co-star?
Definitely Shah Rukh.
Why?
Everyone wants to know why. Shah Rukh is very special to me because I started my career with him and at that time he was a huge star and I was just a newcomer and he has really groomed me into becoming what I am today. He feels part of my achievement and is really proud of it because he has taught me a lot, I have learnt a lot from him, he inspires me always to give my best. He looks after me, takes care of me, loves me to the extent that he is like my family, he is like anyone else in my family who really wants me to do well and Shah Rukh has those feelings for me.
In terms of close friends, do you have the kind of friendship with him where you can pick up the phone and talk about what is happening to you?
Yes I do, Shah Rukh is always there, he always plays agony uncle to me. He is very close to me and I completely love him.
If you had to marry someone from the film industry who would it be?
All the good ones are already married like Shah Rukh and Aamir, so there isn't anyone but at the moment I am concentrating on my career. God has been kind to me and shown me a very good phase in my career after a long time and a lot of hard work I am getting good parts so marriage can wait until the future.
How do you keep the million dollar Rani Mukherji smile?
I think when you are happy within you smile wholeheartedly and you smile with a lot of contentment in your life. If you are happy with what you have achieved and what you are as a person and when you have not hurt people on the way up I think that is what makes you smile wholeheartedly.
With reference to the Indian film industry breaking out to the West, what Hollywood film would you like to act in?
Opposite Brad Pitt, anything opposite Brad Pitt.
Why?
Because he is really hot and completely delicious.
Well he just broke up with his girlfriend a little while ago but now he's got another one.
That's really sad, but then good for him, people who get love in their life - good for them.
Who are you close to in terms of female stars in the film industry?
I have a couple of friends, I don't really socialise with them every day but people like Urmila who I have high regards for, she is really nice, a lovely person to talk to and be with. There are a whole lot of people who I like talking to I can't really name one or two (few names mentioned but I couldn't pick them up) .
When you were growing up who was the actress you wanted to be like?
Sridevi and Madhuri. Sri because she is a complete actress, she can dance, she can make you laugh, she can make you cry, she has the personality and was fantastic on screen. Also Madhuri because of the way she looked and her smile could make a million hearts go a flutter and she would dance with every part of her, every part of her face would dance along with her, she was so graceful and a wonderful actress.
For all our listeners out there who want to be Rani Mukherji what advice would you give them?
Just work hard and sincerely and don't get carried away with the glamour part of the industry because that is only for the media but if you want to be in films you have to get it straight in your head that you have to love films and the film industry. You have to have the patience, you can't get success overnight which means you have to work hard for it - for an actress, with every film you do you grow with it. So if you think you have it in you, you can come and pursue your dreams but never for the wrong reasons, you should never want to be an actress because you want to be glamorous. Do it because you want to and because you have the passion to be one.
As regards the glamour and attention, with the superficial part of being an actress what do you really not like?
I think it is better to talk about the things that I like because I am an optimistic person so I think the good part about the materialistic things is that you get to travel, to shop, to meet people from different cultures and visit different countries so these are things I like.
How do you do it, I mean one day you are in Mumbai, the next day in London, the next thing you are on top of a glacier freezing in a saree singing, how do you do it?
You have to have the willpower and the love for films and then you can be demented as we are.
You have been quite busy with Black, Veer Zaara, Paheli and between that you have done all the shows and Bunty aur Babli so when do you get a chance to relax, and when you do relax what do you like to do - clubbing, shopping, go to a bar with friends?
No I don't do any of this I just stay at home because that is what I enjoy doing most - with my family and dogs or the most I do is have a meal with my friends at home or go out with them for a meal because I love eating and I love food so that is what gives me a lot of happiness. Also going out of India, maybe going to London or some place which makes me relax.
How do you keep your figure if you like eating?
That is a contradictory thing that I have said but it is like Bengalis can't stay without fish or rice, nor can I, but then when I have to do my films I have to get onto a diet and exercising because that is what I am paid for to look good on screen so I have to do that well.
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Post by Eternity on Oct 7, 2006 0:13:21 GMT -5
Producer BOBBY BEDI tells Nona Walia that he plans to make a Mahabharata trilogy akin to The Lord Of The Rings with Shah Rukh, Aamir and Rani Mukerji
The Mahabharata. Hindu mythology’s greatest epic might just become Bollywood’s biggest ever cinematic venture. The magic of this powerful epic is currently being recreated by producer Bobby Bedi into a trilogy with a budget of Rs 300 crore. ‘‘The trilogy will capture the battles, intrigues, spiritual complexity and cultural aesthetics of India, 4,000 years ago. This will be my big project for the next three years,’’ says Bedi, adding that he discovered the power of the Mahabharata’s storyline after reading Girish Karnad’s script for Agnivarsha. What will bring the superstar touch to the Mahabharata is the cast: Shah Rukh Khan, Aamir Khan (together on the screen for the first time) and Rani Mukerji. ‘‘While Rani will play Draupadi, Shah Rukh and Aamir will play Karan and Arjun, but I can’t reveal who’s who. I hope to make a historic movie series in the manner of The Lord Of The Rings. My Mahabharata will have the same imagination, special effects and creativity of Peter Jackson’s trilogy. In fact, we’ve asked The Lord Of The Rings’ team to work with us on this project. Mani Ratnam will direct the trilogy, which will roll soon,’’ says Bedi, the chairman of CII’s entertainment committee. Bedi plans to take India’s most ancient story to Gen Now across the globe. ‘‘I want American, British, Japanese and Indian kids to watch the movie and understand the significance of the Mahabharata. Telling this dramatic story will be a big challenge. Imagine something similar to Harry Potter and The Lord Of The Rings — that’s the canvas I’m thinking of. To be able to make something of that magnitude, we need space. The sets of the movie will span 18 acres in Haryana or the foothills of Punjab. Designer JJ Valaya will work on the clothes, he’ll drape all the characters — remember, everybody in that era wore clothes without stitches. I’ve asked Sufi musician Madan Gopal to do research on the sights and sounds of that period. Besides, I have asked artist Manjit Bawa to think of the visuals, what the houses and temples of the Mahabharata period should look like,’’ informs Bedi. Bawa, however, might not be able to give his undivided attention to Bedi’s project due to other commitments. ‘‘Bobby has contacted me but I’ll be too busy this year to work on the project full-time. It will be an exciting project,’’ he says. In the current context, Bedi, who is also working on Cost Of Freedom, a biographical film on Raja Ravi Verma’s life, is excited about his upcoming movie The Rising. ‘‘When you make a period film, you need to ask yourself who is going to watch a film on nationalism. For me, the story of Mangal Pandey is the story of the Sepoy Mutiny, it’s about romanticising history and making it part of our popular culture.’
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Post by Eternity on Oct 7, 2006 0:15:23 GMT -5
Rani Mukherjee is on top of the world! Her film Bunty Aur Babli, with Abhishek Bachchan in the lead and Amitabh Bachchan playing a pivotal cameo is ready for release. Promos of her film Paheli with Shah Rukh Khan, are beginning to appear on TV screens. And to add more lustre to her life, fans are beginning to pair her with Abhishek Bachchan – one of Bollywood’s most eligible bachelors – in real life too. They are looking forward to seeing the chemistry between the two actors make the screen sizzle with passion and fire in B & B. But Rani is not enthused by this expectation at all. “I worked extremely hard in Black,” she says, “Comparatively, B & B was fun and games. After the powerful performance in Black, B & B was just comfortable. I love the fact that people are pairing me with Abhishek. But if you ask me, I love to romance Shah Rukh Khan or Aamir Khan on screen. Abhishek is a close friend but I hope he will find a nice girl to marry. I would like to marry a man who is self-made and has his own opinions in life. The man I choose must respect my family and understand how much I love them.
“For me, I think Shah Rukh Khan makes the best hero. I am his diehard fan. I feel I have learnt a great deal about acting from him. I am now working for some of the biggest banners in Bollywood. The year ahead is promising and I am looking forward to a wonderful career high in the coming months.”
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Post by Eternity on Oct 7, 2006 0:15:39 GMT -5
It is a straight and passionate confession. Rani Mukherjee gets hot real hot in presence of SRK! And the heat is way higher with SRK than Abhishek!
Rani is delighted about the Abhishek-Rani pair being touted as the next big ‘on-screen couple’, but there’s no romance brewing between the two “because we are very close friends, the chemistry translates onto screen.” But are they a potential pair offscreen? To this, Rani replies, “There is really nothing happening. We haven’t thought about that. We are very fond of each other. I am sure Abhishek will find a lovely girl.” So then who is her ideal man? “Somebody who is self-made, with a mind of his own, who would respect my family and me.”
Contrary to the popular belief, she believes that the SRK-Rani on-screen pair is the best. “I always feel I looked best with SRK, and perform better with him. I love romancing him and Aamir on-screen. Off-screen they have their respective partners. I can try my luck as their love interest in my next birth,” she laughingly quips. She continues, “I am talking completely from a fan’s point of view. I started out quite young, and today of course, the equation is more that of friends, I learnt everything from them. Subconsciously, I have always followed them.”
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Post by Eternity on Oct 7, 2006 0:16:07 GMT -5
Paheli is the next big release that all are waiting for. It stars the current hot favourite. Rani Mukherjee and all time hot favourite, Shahrukh Khan. Over the sets of Paheli, these two super stars reveal the experience of being part of this exotic film. And since there was no in house VJ around, the two decided to go berserk and they landed up questioning and answering each other.
Rani: What does Paheli mean to you? Shahrukh: When we started making the film, it was called Duvidha, so I said, "We can't have the name Duvidha" so Mr. Amol Palekar and the writer of the film, Sandhya Gokhale came up with another suggestion and called the film Peepal ka tila. I flatly refused this title too and then we came up with Paheli.. The film deals with the theme of emancipation of women and how our society doesn't respect them. Rani is called Lacchi in the film and I am called Kishan.
Shahrukh: So how did you feel essaying the role? Rani: I liked Lacchi because I was playing a Rajasthani girl for the first time, the look is good and the character is very strong willed who expresses her opinion without being loud and she speaks from her heart. Ofcourse I get to romance Shahrukh and it's always fun to romance Shahrukh!
Shahrukh: Apart from your character, the film is also well written and beautifully made, how was it being a part of this film? Rani: I really had fun working with Amol Palekar. With him it was also tough because he himself apart from being a director has also been an actor so it was very challenging for me to make him okay my shot! It was a very complex role, and the character has a lot of shades to it so he obviously wanted me to portray it very well and in a certain way. It was important for the director to be happy with my performance.
Shahrukh: on a very unrealistic note, if you found someone whom you love a lot and he's made for you, would you still be with him on finding out that he was a ghost? Rani: if the ghost is like you then surely. I think you really look very hot with that Rajasthani look and that moustache and all.
Shahrukh: The film looks really beautiful, what do you think of the cinematographer, Ravi Chandran? Rani: Ravi is a fabulous technician, he's my favourite. He is very very dedicated to his art and I think amongst all of us, he was the most hard working on the sets.
Shahrukh: Do you think the film will do well? Rani: This film has to do well, it will do well because if it doesn't then I'l take it very personally! For me it's important that this film succeeds because it's your film, its made under your banner, your movie is very important for me and especially when it also has me in it! Then naturally it has to do well, but on a very honest note, I really wish the world for you.
Rani: which is your favourite song in the film? Shahrukh: Dheere jalna is my favourite, but the all time best in this movie is, the song in which we have danced like puppets, something which Raj Kapoor had done in his film and I must say that both of us look rather cute as puppets. The song is Raat Kati.
Rani: Any last comments on the film? Shahrukh: Please watch the film, it's a very well done film, shot beautifully and it's a different take on cinema. Its got the fantastic two of us and even better is the fact that its got the fantastic two of me loving Rani. Its got great cinematography by Ravi Chandran, lovely costumes by Shalini, fabulous sets and Amol Palekar and Sandhya Gokhale have worked very hard. They had to deal with crass commercialism from us but they stood their ground and shot it the way they wanted to. It's a very good mix of art and commercial cinema.
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Post by Eternity on Oct 7, 2006 0:16:31 GMT -5
"SHAH RUKH treats me like a child!"
Rani Mukerji is having a great year. This year has seen her ruling the box-office with films like Black and Bunty Aur Babli. The actress will now be seen in the refreshingly offbeat Paheli, opposite Shah Rukh Khan.
Bollywood's reigning queen spoke to Subhash K Jha about her new film, which releases on June 24.
Shah Rukh has been raving about your work in Paheli. (That's) So sweet of him. He told me I've never looked better in my career. I'm extremely happy with Paheli. It has shaped up beautifully.
The cinematography is outstanding. I believe one particular cinematographer always makes a difference to a heroine's career. Sridevi had W B Rao, Madhuri Dixit had Baba Azmi. For me it's Ravi K Chandran all the way. Look at what he has made me look like in Black and Paheli. My family and I were quite stunned looking at me.
The photography is par excellence. Shah Rukh looks so handsome. People commenting on his new look will fall in love with moustaches!
Your evolution as an actor continues. Yes, of course. This year I've gone from Sanjay Leela Bhansali and Black, to Shaad Ali and Bunty Aur Babli, to Amol Palekar and Paheli.
Everytime I work with Shah Rukh, I feel I grow a bit as an actor. He constantly motivates me to give my best. Strangely we've only done one full-fledged film together, Chalte Chalte.
I met Shah Rukh for the first time when we were shooting for Kuch Kuch Hota Hai. Today, we're friends, but he continues to inspire me. His dedication and focus have shown me how to conduct my own career.
Who are the other heroes who have influenced you? Both Shah Rukh and Aamir (Khan) have taught me a lot. I used to be their fan. I had seen all their movies. Once I had even taken Aamir's autograph. Then I was suddenly facing the camera with him! The way the two looked after me and saw me through my initial scenes is something I can never forget.
Their feelings towards me haven't changed even now, when I did Paheli and Mangal Pandey with them. They're very proud of me, as though they're a part of my family, and vice versa. Shah Rukh treats me like a child, tells me how to face the camera. A co-star who is concerned about you more than (about) himself, is really helpful.
In Paheli you're in totally new territory with Shah Rukh. True. I've never done a rural character or a fantasy before. Paheli is a folk tale. And it should be seen in that spirit, not in a realistic way. I think kids will take to it in a big way. Even Bunty Aur Babli was a fantasy. There's no Fursatnagar (an imaginary town in the film) in any part of the world.
How was Amol Palekar as a director? Amol Palekar comes from a different kind of cinema. It was a very interesting experience. Suddenly, I was working with a director who didn't tell me to hurry a shot!
I was working for the second time with a director who's also an actor, and that is a different experience altogether. Earlier, I had worked with Mr Kamal Haasan in Hey Ram, and that was an outstanding experience as well.
The entire experience of Paheli, from the director to the theme to the Rajasthan backdrop, was very new to me. I loved being dressed traditionally in ghagra-choli. It was so comfortable. I'd love to do more films where I play a totally Indian character. I'll ask Sanjay Leela Bhansali to make a totally Indian film with me!
Will the younger generation have a hard time identifying with the ethnic, folk mood of the film? No, the film is very contemporary in thought -- for a woman to accept a ghost as her lover! I think the women will love it. Every character is noble and honest. Sadly, I have no scenes with Amit uncle (Amitabh Bachchan). But that one scene he has done is fab!
You already have two hits this year. I hope Paheli is the third. I hope my luck holds, not just for my sake, but also the producers', whose lives depend on the films. After Paheli, I have Mangal Pandey coming up. I haven't seen it yet. But Paheli I've seen, and I love it. Ravi Chandran will be nominated for his cinematography in both Black and Paheli.
I'm just praying now. Praying for Shah Rukh. I just adore him.
He called you the hero of Paheli. That's his love for me speaking. He is the film's hero, and nothing can take away from that. My proudest moment was when he told me no actor including him could've done what I did in Black. I hope I've lived up to his expectations in Paheli
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Post by Eternity on Oct 7, 2006 0:18:06 GMT -5
SRK & Gauri have unofficially adopted Rani Mukerji - Rani's at their house every day and supposedly SRK/Gauri are dying to go groom-shopping for Rani, and are awaiting for her 'nod'! (Filmfare June '05)
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Post by Eternity on Oct 7, 2006 0:18:56 GMT -5
www.gmagazine.com/magazine/june2005/Interviews01.asp A Question of Time! Paheli directed by Amol Palekar will be a nice synthesis of two schools of thought- art and commerce, says Shah Rukh Khan. For more... read on! Tell me something about your latest production venture, Paheli. Paheli is based on the legendary story ‘Duvidha’ written by the literary stalwart Vijaydan Detha. Keeping the simplicity of the original folk form intact, Vijaydan has added contemporary dimensions to his story that is a monumental example of Indian literature. Amol Palekar, whose ardent fan I have always been from my childhood, has directed Paheli. The film also has formidable actors like Rani Mukherjee, Amitabh Bachchan, Juhi Chawla, Aditi Gowatrikar, Rajpal Yadav, Suneil Shetty, Anupam Kher, Dilip Prabhawalkar and Neena Kulkarni. Is Paheli a love story? Yes, Paheli is a love story with which I am sure the audience will relate to. It is a fast-paced and shorter film than my earlier films as a producer. It is about a woman’s decision to love a man she likes. It is frankly an experiment to bring Amol Palekar’s style of making films to match with that of ours. Amol has sought to achieve a blend of the so-called parallel and mainstream cinema. Paheli is quite a progressive subject. Mani Kaul had made a film called ‘Duvidha’ almost thirty-three years ago based on the same novel by Vijaydan. Some changes in the screenplay have been made the subject has been set in a modern touch too. Could you unfold the story of Paheli in a few lines? Once upon a time, there was a lovely girl who was married to a man who was only interested in making money. On the wedding night itself, the husband leaves home for five long years on account of his business. There is a ghost who falls madly in love with her. The ghost takes on the husband’s appearance and enters the life of the wife. A few years later, when the husband returns home, the villagers and the relatives are bewildered. How this situation gets resolved forms the crux of Paheli. Paheli, in short, is the dilemma of the girl who has to choose between the ghost’s eternal love and her husband’s insensitive monotone and his dilemma of facing rejection from his own people. Why did you volunteer to produce the film when Amol offered to cast you in it? I’ve already produced four films – Phir Bhi Dil Hai Hindusthani, Asoka, Chalte Chalte and Main Hoon Na under the sister companies Dreamz Unlimited, Arclightz and Red Chillies. I was keen on making an experimental film, as an exercise, in just 45 days. When Amol came to me and asked me if I would like to act in his film, I grabbed the opportunity and told him I’d be delighted to act in it and produce it as well. In fact, when he came to me, our production house was sitting idle. What has been your approach as a producer? Allah has been kind to me for the last four years. I am happy I could be associated with hits like Main Hoon Na, Chalte Chalte, and Veer Zaara. I have been working for the last fifteen years. As an actor I am trying to do my best. As a producer I also want to make films, which will be remembered. God has given me the strength to make an attempt to produce different kinds of films. Paheli is one such attempt. It’s an entertainer like Main Hoon Na. Is it true that Amitabh Bachchan, Juhi Chawla and Suneil Shetty are playing cameo roles in the film? Yes. I requested Amitji, Juhi and Suneil Shetty to do small cameo roles in my film. I genuinely feel that all the three of them have been very kind to me because they went out of the way to accommodate my film in their schedules and didn’t even charge me. What is your role in Paheli? I play Kishan, a nice, loving, likeable ghost as well as the husband. What is Rani’s role? Rani Mukherjee plays Lachchi, the wife who is in a dilemma. Amol had already spoken to Rani Mukherjee and finalized her when he came to me with the offer to cast me in the lead. I didn’t recommend Rani’s name, though Rani is part of my family now. What did you learn while working with a director like Amol Palekar? Working with a director of the calibre of Amol has been an eye- opener. I have learnt the nuances of detailing. Paheli will be a nice mix, a synthesis of two schools of thought, art and commerce. It will appeal to the youth because it will have a lot of special effects in it. It will also appeal to all those who are in love. I feel that in this world there are more lovers than anybody else. To what extent were you inspired by Aamir Khan to sport a moustache in Paheli? To get into the skin of my character, Amolsaab asked me to sport a moustache. I am ready to even grow a tail if it’s essential for me to get into my character. Mooch lagana to badi baat nahin hai. Anyway, my moustache is different from the one Aamir has sported in The Rising. In any case, let Aamir sport a moustache for the next ten years. I have no objection at all. I sported a moustache in Paheli because I always bow to the demands of the script. As a producer how do you react to the music of Paheli? Mujhe music ke bare mein zyada samajh nahin hai and hence, I cannot give my expert opinion on the music of Paheli. Paheli does not have any phataka number and hence we are releasing its music one and a half months before the release of the film. However, all I can say is that music director M.M. Kreem has done a fabulous job. How economically viable has Paheli been for you as a producer? Paheli has been made on a modest budget of Rs. 13 to 14 crores. As a production house, we tried to sell it with the aim of only recovering the production costs. Our idea is to see that our distributors have the least amount of pressure when they exploit our film and hence we have sold the film at a very moderate price per territory. What are your forthcoming projects? After Paheli is released, I will start work on Farah Khan’s project Happy New Year. The star cast is yet to be finalised. I’ll also work in Farhan Akhtar’s adaptation of the 70’s hit Don. — Jyothi Venkatesh
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