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HINDI |
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1) Ada ..... a way of life
Cast - Ayaan Ahmad, Nauheed Cyrusi, Rahul Roy, Ayesha Jhulka, Milind Gunaji, Saurabh Dubey
Director - Tanvir Ahmad
Story, Screenplay, Dialogues - Tanvir Ahmad
Producer - Kazaan Ahmad [Ahmad World Studios]
Lyrics - Nusrat Badr, Raqueeb Alam
Sound Design - Rassul Pookutty
Cinematography - Nigam Bomzan
Choreography - Ayesha Ahmed
Editor - Tamal Chakraborthy
Action - R.P.Yadav
Audio Rights - BIG Music
TRACK LISTING
"Ishq Ada (Male)" - Rashid Ali
"Gulfisha" - Sonu Nigam, Sunidhi Chauhan, Viviane Cha
"Gum Sum" - Alka Yagnik, Sonu Nigam, Nusrat Badr
"Hai Dard" - Udit Narayan, Nustrat Badr
"Hawa Sun Hawa" - Alka Yagnik, Sonu Nigam, Nusrat Badr
"Ishq Ada (Female)" - Parul Mishra, Raqeeb Alam
"Meherbaan Instrumental" - Solo Guitar by Sanjeev Thomas
"Meherbaan" - A.R.Rahman, Raqeeb Alam
"Milo Wahan Wahan" - Alka Yagnik, Jayachandran,Nustrat Badr
"Tu Mera Hai" - Chitra, Sukhwinder Singh, Naresh Iyer
CURRENT STATUS - Audio released all over. Movie release date not announced yet.
2) Ghajini
Cast - Aamir Khan, Asin, Jiah Khan, Mohit Ahlawat
Director - A.R.Murugadoss
Producer - Allu Aravind [Geeta Arts], Aamir Khan [Aamir Khan Productions Pvt Ltd]
Distribution (Overseas) - Adlabs
Cinematography - Ravi K Chandran
Editor - Antony
Lyrics - Prasoon Joshi
Sound Design - Rassul Pookutty
Choreography - Ahmed Khan
Audio Rights - T-Series
Distribution - Studio 18
- Remake of Surya starrer Tamil film Ghajini, which itself was inspired from Hollywood flick Memento
- One song picturized in Dead Pan, Namibia and choreographed by Ahmed Khan. This peppy song has Aamir dancing along with 80+ dancers.
- One song picturized in Cape Town, South Africa.
- Roop Kumar Rathod has sung one song in this film.
CURRENT STATUS - Audio released all over. Movie releasing on 25 Dec 2008.
3) Dilli 6
Cast - Abhishek Bachchan (as Laxman Prasad), Sonam Kapoor (as Bittu),
Amitabh Bachchan, Waheeda Rahman, Om Puri, Atul Kulkarni, Shefali Shah, Rishi Kapoor, Tanvi Azmi, Divya Dutt, Deepak Dobriyal,
Supriya Pathak, Gulshan Grover, Prem Chopra, Vijay Raaz
Director - Rakeysh Omprakash Mehra
Producer - Ronnie Screwvala [UTV Motion Pictures]
Screenplay - Rakeysh Omprakash Mehra, Kamlesh Pandey (Rang
De Basanti), Renzil D'Silva, Syd Fields, Prasoon Joshi
Cinematography - Ravi K Chandran
Editor - P.S. Bharati
Lyrics - Prasoon Joshi
Audio Rights - T-Series
Budget - INR 30 crore
- One song "Maula".
[Info courtesy - Amitabh Bachchan's blog].
"Maula, Maula, Maula… mere Maula
Maula, Maula, Maula… mere Maula
Maula, Maula, Maula… Maula
Maula, Maula, Maula… Maula
Dararen dararen hain maathe pe Maula
Marammat mukaddar ki kardo Maula… mere Maula
Tere dar pe jhuka hun, mita hun, bana hun
Tere dar pe jhuka hun, mita hun, bana hun
Maula, Maula, Maula… Maula
Maula, Maula, Maula… Maula
Jab teri gali aaya sach tabhi nazar aaya
Jab teri gali aaya sach tabhi nazar aaya
Maula..!!". Amitabh talks about this song in his blog - "From the moment I heard it it touched
an emotional chord in me and I immediately shared my feelings with Abhishek and Rakeysh. Rakeysh informed me that AR had had a dream about the
tune of this song 2 years ago and in DELHI 6 he found the correct opportunity to record it. I heard it repeatedly through out the day. On sitting
down to put down my thoughts for the day on blog, I put on the ear phones and continued to listen to Maula. Nothing came into my head but the
words and the emotion of the song. It played for 4 hours. Repeat after repeat after repeat."
- Dilli 6 is reportedly based on Mehra's growing up years in Chandni Chowk area of
Old Delhi which has Pin Code 110006, hence the title Dilli 6.
- The film is a collage of 18 different characters and their emotions, according to the director. The movie reportedly features the
monkey-man hysteria that shook New Delhi in 2001.
- T-Series has acquired the audio rights of Dlli 6 at Rs. 5 crores.
- Amitabh Bachchan and Waheeda Rahman are playing Abhishek's grandparents in the film. Gulshan Grover plays Abhishek's father in the film.
Om Puri and Supriya Pathak plays Sonam's parents in the film.
- Atul Kulkarni has shaved off his moustache for this film.
- "My next film will be Delhi 6 (as in pincode 6). It is about old Delhi. Cities such as Hyderabad, Lucknow and even Bangalore -
that have an old city - that have been left behind in the urban progress, will connect well. In these places, the tiniest of shacks
have a colour television but that's the only change we see in their lives in the last 60 years. I have lived in old Delhi, so I draw
from my experience. It is my first attempt at dark comedy. We will begin shooting in November" - Mehra [TOI
]
CURRENT STATUS - Television promos have started.
Movie release expected on 20 Feb 2009.
4) Mani Ratnam's next
Cast - Abhishek Bachchan, Aishwarya Rai Bachchan, Govinda, Vikram
Director - Mani Ratnam
Producer - Sharada G (Madras Talkies)
Screenplay - Vijay Krishna Acharya
Cinematography - P.C.Sreeram
Cinematography - Gulzar
- There will be 7 songs in this movie.
- This will be Hindi-Tamil bilingual, which will have Vikram starring opposite Aishwarya in the
Tamil version. Young Malayalam actor Prithviraj is reportedly playing the negative character in Tamil (or may be in both versions as some reports indicate).
"I am excited about working in a Mani Ratnam movie. But I can"t say anything about the role, which is strictly under wraps." - Prithviraj.
Another section of the media has reported that Sanjay Dutt is playing the negative character in the Hindi version.
From Times Of India - Talking about the Mani Ratnam film, Sanjay Dutt will replace South superstar Vikram for whom this was supposed to be a
Bollywood debut. However with this, one fact that has resurfaced to the top is that it is Sanjay Dutt who will romance Aishwarya even as
Abhishek Bachchan continues to be in the film. And if the buzz in the industry is anything to go about, Sanjay is so enthusiastic about this
project that he signed the film even without going through detailed narration.
- Govinda has been signed to play an important role in the film. Confirming this startling development, Govinda expressed deep gratitude for being
presented with a second innings as an actor. "It is an interesting and a powerful role. It is not comic by any standard. Mani is making an intense
film. My role will definitely surprise people." - Govinda.
- Hindustan Times reported that this movie is a modern day interpretation of Ramayan - Abhishek and Aishwarya as Ram and Sita, and Govinda in a
modern-day avatar of Hanuman.
- The role to be performed by Govinda in Hindi will be essayed by Pritviraj. The supporting cast of actors would be different in each language.
CURRENT STATUS - Shooting starts from Sep 2008. More details awaited.
Madras Talkies is supposed to be in the final lap of negotiating a whopping Rs 120 crore deal with the Anil Ambani run Reliance Entertainment
Big Picture, for all negative rights for three languages - Hindi, Tamil, Telugu. Industry pundits say that if the deal takes place, it will be the
biggest for a south Indian film producer and director. The film will start rolling in Karaikudi from September 10, and will also be shot in the
forests of Madhya Pradesh.
5) Blue
Cast - Akshay Kumar, Sanjay Dutt, Suneil Shetty, Lara Dutta, Katrina Kaif, Zayed Khan
Director - Anthony D'souza aka Tony
Producer - Shree Ashtavinayak Cinevision
- This is slated to be the costliest film ever made in India.
Reportedly, the film is budgeted at more than Rs. 100M crores ($2.37 M).
[
The Bahamas Weekly]
- This movie will be an action drama revolving around water-sports.
- As per latest reports, international star Fergie [lead singer of the hit band Black Eyed Peas] will be featuring in a music video for this film.
- "Major action portions of the film will be shot underwater in Bahamas. In fact, the cast will be undergoing extensive training in underwater stunts
before we begin filming." - Suniel Shetty.
- Akshay Kumar is playing a deep sea diver in the film.
CURRENT STATUS - First schedule shooting over in Bahamas.
Second schedule in progress in Bangkok, Thaliand soon.
6) Dhun
Cast - Abhishek Bachchan, Aishwarya Rai Bachchan
Director - Rajeev Menon
Producer - Eros Entertainment
Script - Rajeev Menon, Bhavani Iyer
- It's a music-centric love story which will be filmed in Mumbai and London.
- According to latest reports, this film will be a remake of the yesteryear classic Abhimaan, which was directed by Hrishikesh Mukherjee and
starred Amitabh Bachchan and Jaya Bachchan.
CURRENT STATUS - Shooting starts from Feb 2009. More details awaited.
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TAMIL |
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1) Chennaiyil Oru Mazhaikkaalam
http://www.chennayilorumazhaikaalam.com
Cast - Trisha, Satish, Veera, Karthik, Shaam, Naethra (Thoovanam fame), Nikita
Director - Gautham Vasudev Menon
Producer - Escape Artists Motion Pictures [P.Madan, J.Ganesh]
Cinematographer - Manoj Paramahamsa
Editor - Antony
Art Director - Rajeevan
Choreographer - Ahmed Khan
Lyrics - Thamarai
- The film is said to be a musical entertainer and the story is set against the IT background.
- "Being part of a film that will have A.R.Rahman as the music director is something to be proud of". - Trisha [NowRunning]
CURRENT STATUS - Shooting in progress in various parts of Chennai. Release expected by late 2008.
2) Sultan - The Warrior
http://www.sultanthefilm.com
Director - Soundarya Rajinikanth
Producer - Adlabs, Soundarya Rajinikanth [Ocher Films]
Lyrics - Vairamuthu
- Animation film based on Superstar Rajinikanth.
- Title song has been sung by S.P.Balasubramanium.
- Adlabs, in association with Chennai-based Ocher Studios, is experimenting in its own way by trying
to cash in on the hysteria surrounding the Tamil super-star Rajnikanth. "We've used the motion-capture technology to portray Rajnikanth's persona
in our forthcoming film Sultan the warrior," says Sidhartha Jain, Head of Animation, Adlabs. The film will be directed by his daughter Soundarya
and will release by early 2009. Industry sources say that the movie will have a budget of around Rs 40- 50 crore.
- Soundarya Rajinikanth talks about the film and music - "It is indeed a big film. It is the first in
many ways. It's the first time a live action actor is getting animated in a full length feature film. It's the first animation feature for
A R Rahman. We are targeting on reaching 90% realism with the 3D characters and the look and feel of the film. In terms of cost, I would say the
budget of the film is close to that of a big budget live action flick. I will be using few star voices for the characters in the movie apart from
my father who is lending his voice for his part. The film has
four full length songs which will be choreographed by prominent
choreographers, typical Indian style. We are having an English title track
which will feature a main stream English music star. It is a
mythological fictitious flick. It is not a story already told nor is it an excerpt from an epic. It's my father's story. We are planning 12-14
mainstream world languages, including English. It is an hour and 30 mins film, which I'm working very hard on completing on a record time of less
than 2 years! Animation features take close to 4 -5 years production time for completion."
- Latest reports say that Soundarya is planning to include Rajinikanth in live action, and extending the duration of the film to two and a half
hours.
3) Enthiran - the ROBOT
Cast - Rajinikanth, Aishwarya Rai Bachchan, Chakravarthy, Cochin Haneefa, Kalabhavan Mani,
Nedumudi Venu
Director - Shankar
Producer - Karunamoorthy, C Arun Pandiyan [Ayngaran International], Kishore Lulla [Eros Inernational]
Screenplay - Shankar, Sujatha, Balakumaran
Cinematographer - Rathnavelu
Art Director - Sabu Cyril
Editor - Antony
Animatronics - Stan Winston Studio (USA) [Predator, Jurassic Park, Pearl Harbor, Iron man, Terminator, I-Robot]
VFX - From Hollywood (ILM, Tippet, Cafe EFX), From Hong Kong (Centro, Menfond)
Costume Designer - Manish Malhotra, Mary E Vogt [Men in Black, Batman returns, Inspector Gadget]
Action - Yuen Woo Ping [Crouching Tiger Hidden Dragon, Matrix, Kill Bill]
Lyrics - Vairamuthu, Pa Vijay
Choreographer - Raju Sundaram
- Clinton Cerejo has arranged a song for the film, which in his own words is "a cool song, which
features some cool Afro style backing vocals".
- Shankar's regular screenplay writer Sujatha has written this script, as one of his short stories
titled En Iniya Iyandhira, is the inspiration for Robot. [Sujatha passed away in Feb 2008]
The story is reportedly based on a sci-fi film called THX 1138, which was written and directed by George Lucas in 1971. THX 1138 is set in a
futuristic scenario where s suppress the human race and control their emotions. THX 1138 is the name of a factory worker who falls in love
with his roommate and breaks the law. He gets jailed, but when he discovers that his roommate is pregnant with his child, they escape and fight
back the robots. The script also had references to George Orwell's literary classic 1984.
- Robot is also speculated to be one of the costliest films to be made in Indian cinema. The film will
also boast of never-seen-before special effects in Indian Cinema.
- Telugu star JD Chakravarthy [Satya fame] is reportedly playing the negative character in this film.
CURRENT STATUS- Picturisation of two songs over in
Macchu Picchu, Peru and Hawaii, US respectively. Shooting currently in progress in Goa.
4) Marma Yogi
Cast - Kamal Haasan, Trisha, Shreya, Hema Malini, Shobhana, Venkatesh, Juhi Chawla, Vaiyapuri
Director - Kamal Haasan
Producer - Kamal Haasan [Rajkamal Films International], Pyramid Saimira International
Story, Screenplay - Kamal Haasan
Lyrics - Vairamuthu
- Kamal Hassan is directing and producing Marma Yogi, on first copy
basis for Pyramid Saimira. Marmayogi is said to be a historical adventure romantic film set in the backdrop of the
7th century.
- "It’s too early to divulge more details except for describing it as a '7th century periodic epic' in a nutshell.
The big-budget entertainer will be a feast for all sections of the audience." - Kamal Haasan [TOI]
- Popular Telugu star Venkatesh has been signed in to play an important role in the film. [According to
unconfirmed news in a section of the media, the same role will be played by Amitabh Bachchan in the Hindi version
of the film.]
- Bollywood actress Juhi Chawla has herself disclosed that she has been signed for a role in this film.
[
DNA India]
CURRENT STATUS - Promotional photoshoot was held on 18 Sep at
AVM Studios, Chennai.
- Kamal Haasan will commence the shooting on 26 Sep at the Sethusamudram, even before the official launch.
- Official movie launch to be held on 18 Oct at Grand Hotel, Mumbai.
5) Mani Ratnam's next
Cast - Vikram, Aishwarya Rai Bachchan, Prithviraj, Priyamani
Director - Mani Ratnam
Producer - Sharada G (Madras Talkies)
Cinematography - P.C.Sreeram
Lyrics - Vairamuthu
- There will be 7 songs in this movie.
- This will be Hindi-Tamil bilingual, which will have Abhishek Bachchan starring opposite
Aishwarya in the Hindi version. Malayalam star Prithviraj is playing the negative character in the Tamil version, which will be donned by Govinda
in the Hindi version.
- Hindustan Times reported that this movie is a modern day interpretation of Ramayan - Vikram and Aishwarya as Ram and Sita, and Prithviraj in a
modern-day avatar of Hanuman.
- Vikram confirmed this news to
DNA India
saying, "Though I have a solid role in the Hindi version, Abhishek will not be a part of the Tamil one.
I’ll be paired opposite Aishwarya instead." He adds, "I’m very excited to work in my debut Bollywood movie with Abhishek and Aishwarya. It’s
going to be a great experience and I’m looking forward to it." However, Vikram was in no mood to reveal anything further. "Shooting starts in a
couple of months. I really cannot divulge anything except that I have very powerful roles in both the versions. This will certainly be my best
film to date," he states. "Of course, Abhishek’s role in a screen stealer. But I have a great role in the film too," he laughs. "Though I know
Hindi well, I’m not too confident of pulling it off as it requires acting coupled with dialogue delivery," he says. About working with Ash in the
Tamil version he says, "I know both Abhishek and Aishwarya. It’s going to be a great experience. I know what Abhishek’s role is. It will be a
pleasure doing that in Tamil," he ends.
CURRENT STATUS - Madras Talkies is supposed to have finalized a whopping Rs 120 crore deal with
the Anil Ambani run Reliance Entertainment Big Picture, for all negative rights for three languages - Hindi, Tamil, Telugu. Industry pundits say
that this will be the biggest for a south Indian film producer and director. The film will start rolling in Karaikudi from September 10, and will
also be shot in the forests of Madhya Pradesh
6) Maanavar Dinam
Cast - Vinay, Nasser, S.P.Balasubramanium
Director - Kathir
Producer - Sahara One Motion Pictures
Script - Kathir
- Maanavar Dhinam (Student's Day) will be directed by Kathir whose association with ARR had
resulted in huge musical hits in the past, like Kadhal Desam, Kadhalar Dhinam etc.
CURRENT STATUS - Shooting slated to start soon. More details awaited.
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TELUGU
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1) Puli
Cast - Pawan Kalyan, Nikesha Patel, Parvati Melton
Director - S.J.Suryah
Producer - Singamala Ramesh Babu [Kanakaratna Movies]
Cinematograher - Binod Pradhan [Rang De Basanti, Devdas, 1942-A Love Story]
- A.R.Rahman is reportedly being paid a whopping 2 crore for this film.
- The audio rights of this film has reported to be 3 crores, which if true, will be the highest ever for a Telugu film.
- Pawan Kalyan plays two roles - one of an honest police officer, and another of a common man.
CURRENT STATUS- Shooting on the floors. The inaugural shot was an action sequence
featuring Pawan and a 4000-strong crowd in Dilsukh Nagar, Hyderabad. Movie is being readied for release sometime in late 2008.
2) Satyagrahi
http://www.satyagrahi.com
Director - Pawan Kalyan
Producer - A.M.Ratnam [Sri Surya Movies]
Story - Pawan Kalyan
Screenplay, Dialogues - Patrick Biswas, Sidhardha, P.Satyanand
Cinematography - P.C.Sriram
Art Direction - Anand Sai
- - Reports say that Pawan's brother Megastar Chiranjeevi and Balakrishna (Balayya) will be
donning roles in this film [
PawanFans
]
CURRENT STATUS- Filming had started on March 25, 2006. But, the film seems stalled
for the moment as Pawan has moved to S.J.Suryah's Puli. Satyagrahi might go on the floors in 2009 after Puli.
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INTERNATIONAL
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1) Slumdog Millionaire
http://www.foxsearchlight.com/slumdogmillionaire
Cast - Anil Kapoor, Irrfan Khan, Dev Patel
Director - Danny Boyle
Script Writer - Simon Beaufoy [The Full Monty]
Producer - Christian Colson
Cinematographer - Anthony Dod Mantle
Lyrics - Gulzar
- The film is based on the bestselling novel "Q and A" by Vikas Swarup.
Production began in Mumbai in November 2007.
- A.R.Rahman has collaborated with UK based hip-hop artiste M.I.A aka Maya Arulpragasam on this project.
- One song "Jai Ho" - sung by Sukhwinder Singh.
According to Sukhwinder, "It's a very innocent song, but it's also energetic and stylish. When you hear the beginning, you will feel that you have
started some bhajan, it's a soothing number with a style element."
- An illiterate Indian streetkid from Mumbai wins the jackpot on Kaun Banega Crorepati.
He had gone onto the game show to reach his missing girlfriend, who he knows watches the show religiously. When he wins the jackpot, he is
suspected of cheating.
- The director has filmed partly in Hindi and mostly in English, expressing his love for Hinglish films as the influence.
CURRENT STATUS - Slumdog Millionaire is emerging as a hot favorite at awards, and is a strong
contender for Oscars.
A.R.Rahman's score for the film has won 4 awards so far, and also has been nominated in three more awards including the prestigius Golden Globes.
All Slumdog Millionaire awards are tracked in arr4music's
SdM Awards Tracker.
2) The 19th Step
Cast - Kamal Haasan, Asin
Director - Bharatbala
Producer - Walt Disney Pictures, Manas Malhotra, Bharatbala [Bharatbala Productions]
Script - M.T.Vasudevan Nair
- The 19th Step is the only Indian film to have ever been selected for the prestigious
Hong Kong Asia Film Financing Forum (HAF).
- The 19th Step will be the first martial art film from India. It will also be the first
Indo-Japanese co-production of its kind. It is a film about one culture's journey into the other, telling a universal story aimed a larger
worldwide audience, tracing the origins of the martial arts to Kalarippayattu, a fighting style practiced in Kerala in Southern India. Kerala and
Japan both have highly evolved forms of martial arts, literature and performing arts; and are uniquely linked through similar cultural practices.
The 19th Step will be the first film to explore this cultural linkage.
- Kenji, a bloodthirsty Samurai warrior haunted by the ghosts of his turbulent past,
travels to India seeking the infinite power of the ancient martial art Kalarippayattu, but ends up acquiring powers far greater
& beyond the martial arts' 18 steps of learning; into the realms of a mystical 19th Step.
CURRENT STATUS - More details awaited.
3) Bombil and Beatrice
http://www.bombilandbeatrice.com
Cast - Prashant Narayanan, Katie McGuinness, Piyush Mishra
Director - Kaizad Gustad
Producers - Quest Films Limited & Crossover Joint Ventures in association with Medient Corp
and TFK Films
Cinematography - Trevor Forrest
Editor - Steve Mercer, Robert Wallace
Production Design - Ayesha Shroff
Art Direction - Narendra Rahurikar
- One hundred years ago, a beautiful young English woman named Beatrice promised a young Indian man
named Vilas that she would wait for him. For a hundred years, if need be. At the height of the British Raj, these star crossed-lovers shared a
love that defied both their worlds. On the night of New Year's Eve, Beatrice escapes from her family and elopes to her lover. But tragedy strikes
instead.........
One hundred years later, in the urban slums of today's Mumbai, Beatrice tracks down the reincarnation of her lover from a century ago.
Vilas is now Bombil, the hitman, and she has a job for him. At the appointed hour, at the appointed time, one hundred years after destiny struck,
what will he do? Can he redeem himself in this lifetime for promises made in the last? Can he kill the very thing he loved? Bombil and Beatrice.
Love Doesn't Die.
4) Orchestral piece for CBSO [City of Birmingham Symphony Orchestra]
http://www.cbso.co.uk
Here's a picture of A.R.Rahman in the conductor's podium at the Birmingham Symphony Hall on
April 10, 2003.
CLICK HERE
- This orchestral work will be based on The Conference of the Birds, a 12th century
Persian poem by Farid Uddin Attar from Nishapur.
- Rahman will also conduct an autumn concert for the CBSO featuring his Bollywood film music.
- A.R.Rahman : "It was while I was at the Birmingham Film and Television Festival 2000 that I met people involved in the music industry in
Birmingham and was encouraged to write a piece with the CBSO. I love the different cultures that Birmingham has and this collaboration provides a
bridge between the East and West nations at an important time in history. I chose Birmingham because of its rich diversity and the friendly people.
I would very much like to see Birmingham become Capital of Culture - it seems to be the only place in Britain where different cultures live happily
alongside each other. Art is the only way to transcend our different cultures and I am very excited to be involved in this project. I will be
composing the piece over the next six months between Birmingham, New York - where Bombay Dreams goes to Broadway - and my present home in Madras."
[
Birmingham Post]
CURRENT STATUS- Advanced Booking had been
opened
from July 7, 2003. First part of the concerts were held on March 5th and 6th, 2004.
No official announcement regarding when the second part based on The Conference of the Birdswill be held.
5) Solo pop album for UK-based pop singer, Karen David
http://www.karendavid.com<
- ARR has composed 2 songs for this album.
- "Shillong Shillong
"
- "Carry Me Home
"[Visit
official website to hear 30 second song clips]
- The album will also feature a lot of compositions that Karen made with other co-writers and producers.
The ARR collaboration will be available next year - when Karen has signed a new record deal. Carry Me Home will be available as a limited edition
independent release soon - watch the website for more details coming soon. [Info courtesy - Gopal, ARRYG]
TRIVIA - Karen David has previously sung for Rahman in the title song of Bombay Dreams.
CURRENT STATUS - Karen David is releasing this album sometime soon. The album will feature the
above 2 songs, as well as Provoked song " Alive".
6) The Heart of India (IMAX)
http://www.tajmahalfilm.com
Cast - Aishwarya Rai Bachchan
Director - Bharat Bala
Script Writer - Michael Caulfield
Producer - TriColor Films and MacGillivray Freeman Films
Executive Producer - Sushil Tyagi (President of Tricolor Films)
Associate Director, Editor - Kanika Myer
Director Of Photography - Reed Smoot
Historical Consultant - Martand Singh
Production Designer - Dashrath Patel
- This is India's first IMAX film. Other working titles for the film are Journey Across India
and Taj Mahal: The Great Indian Experience
- This movie adheres to the 40- to 45-minute giant screen format.
- 4 songs complete ( 2 Hindi & 2 English) ; English songs written by Don Black.
- The movie takes a journey across India, through its ancient cities, mountain passages, and vast
desert kingdoms. Follow the history behind the Taj Mahal, a testament to the timeless art and culture of India, and a monument to love for the
entire world.
CURRENT STATUS - Shooting 50% complete. Expected to release in 2008/2009.
7) Ekam Satyam (single with Michael Jackson)
Lyrics - A.R.Parthasarathy (Sanskrit), Kanika Myer (English)
Choreographer - Raju Sundaram
Singers - A.R.Rahman (Sanskrit), Michael Jackson (English)
On stage in Munich - A.R.Rahman, Michael Jackson, Prabhu Deva, Shobhana and 30 German dancers.
- The song was recorded with MJ in September 1999.
- Performed at "Michael Jackson and Friends: What More Can I Give?
" concert in Munich, Germany on June 1999.
LINK
- Michael Jackson appeared on stage with folded hands wearing a white outfit designed by Indian fashion designer Manish Malhotra.
- The concert proceeds went to charities and aid agencies and a children's fund set up by former South African President Nelson Mandela.
CURRENT STATUS - No idea regarding the fate of this one, especially after
Michael Jackson's split with Sony Music last year. We can only keep our fingers crossed and hope that we will get to hear the song soon.
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OTHER PROBABLES
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1) Bajirao Mastani
Cast - Abhishek Bachchan [as Bajirao], Kareena Kapoor [as Mastani],
Rani Mukherji [as Bajirao's wife Kashibai], Rekha
Director - Sanjay Leela Bhansali
Cinematographer - Ravi K.Chandran
Art Direction - Nitin Desai
- Epic love story of Maratha Peshwa Bajirao and his mistress Mastani.
- Sanjay Leela Bhansali, when asked about his future project 'Bajirao Mastani'
& the rumours about A.R.Rahman doing the film, said: "Thats the little secret I've kept for myself. I'll announce it
when the time is right. But I'm really keen to work with ARR, he's a genius! Its a mutual understanding between us that we'll
work together some day." [Film Fare, Aug 2003]
CURRENT STATUS - Official announcement yet to be made.
2) Religious Album - Based on Kunnakudi Mastan Saheb's poems
- Rahman is producing a religious album, based on the poems of Kunnakudi Mastan Saheb, which will be
released on KM Music banner. Rahman is working with his guru Dakshinamoorthy Swamy for this album, which is expected to release before the end of
the year. A.R.Rahman in an interview to SUN TV on Aug 15, 2007 has expressed his wish to sing in the album.
- "It has a tamil touch with a carnatic base" - A.R.Rahman
[
LINK]
NOTE : This isn't an ARR album in the true sense, as he wont be scoring for the album.
He is producing the album under KM Music banner, and in all probability, will be singing in it too.
3) Selvaraghavan's Hindi Directorial Debut
Cast - Vivek Oberoi
Director - Selvaraghavan
Producer - UTV Motion Pictures, Radhika Sharathkumar [Radaan Media]
- A.R.Rahman in Aug 18 2006 edition of Ananda Vikatan, has confirmed that he will be scoring music for
Selvaraghavan's directorial debut in Hindi.
Selvaraghavan, who has directed Tamil hits like Thulluvatho Ilamai, Kadhal Konden, 7/G Rainbow Colony
and Puthupettai, always talked about A.R.Rahman as his favourite Music composer.
- This is said to be a remake of Selvaraghavan's 7G Rainbow Colony, which was a blockbuster in both
Tamil and Telugu.
CURRENT STATUS - Official announcement and more details awaited.
This project is expected to take off once Selvaraghavan completes his current Tamil film Ayirathil Oruvan, which features Karthi
and Reema Sen in lead roles.
4) Mahabharata trilogy
Director - Mani Ratnam
Producer - Crossover Films [Bobby Bedi, Mani Ratnam]
- 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 Mukherji. "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. [Hyderabad Times, July 5th 2005 edition]
CURRENT STATUS - Seems to be stalled after the initial announcements.
5) ARR's collaboration with a world renowned Guitarist
- "There are plans to collaborate with a very big international guitarist whose name I cannot
divulge right now." - A.R.Rahman [BollywoodCountry.com]
arr4music GUESS - John McLaughlin [Watch out this spaces for official confirmation.
Till then, keep guessing :-) ]
6) Exclusion
Cast - Amitabh Bachchan, John Abraham, Seema Biswas, Kabir Bedi and well-known
British actor, Terence Stamp ['Billy Budd', 'Adventures Of Priscilla Queen Of The Deserts']
Director - Deepa Mehta
Story, Screenplay - Deepa Mehta
Producer - David Hamlton [David Hamilton Productions]
Editor - Colin Monie
Cinematography - Gilens Nuttgens
Lyrics - Javed Akhtar
- The movie depicts the Komagata Maru incident, one of the most notorious incidents in the history of
exclusion laws in Canada and the United States designed to keep out immigrants of Asian origin.
The movie is set to go on floors in second half of 2008.
7) Aezhumalai v/s Chitra (A/C)
Cast - Simbu (as Aezhumalai), Asin (as Chitra)
Director - S.J.Suryah
Producer - S.S.Chakravarthy, NIC Arts
Cinematography - Jeeva
Choreography - Raju Sundaram
- Another section of media reports A/C as Aezhumalai Chidambaram,
denoting the names of the dual characters that Simbu is playing in the film.
CURRENT STATUS- Stalled at the moment.
8) Isai
Director - S.J.Suryah
Producer - S.J.Suryah
- This film is supposed to be a musical thriller which will be shot in Tamil, Telugu and Hindi
- "It is a short and sweet romantic story. I am still working on the script." - S.J.Suryah.
CURRENT STATUS -Suryah was supposed to start 'Isai' once 'A/C' was.
Both these movies were slated to have music by ARR. Both movies seem stalled at the moment.
9) Toofan Mail
Director - Raj Kumar Santoshi
Production - Ramkumar [Sivaji Productions]
Screenplay - Sridhar Raghavan [Bluffmaster, Khakee, Family]
- Ramkumar, director of Sivaji Productions and son of Sivaji Ganesan, told Chennaionline that the
movie would be a blockbuster, with a likely investment of Rs 15-20 crore. "The star cast for the film is currently under negotiation, he said,
adding that the film was tentatively titled 'Toofan Mail', though no final decision had yet been taken on the title. "The script is getting
ready," he said. "This will be a modern subject; definitely not a period film like Devadas," says Ramkumar with a don't-ask-me-for-details smile.
"The cast would be finalised by July and the film would go on the floors from December or January 2007," he said.
[
ChennaiOnline.com]
10) Paani
http://www.waterthemovie.com
Cast - Vivek Oberoi
Director - Shekhar Kapoor
Producer - Barrie Osbourne [LOTR trilogy, and Executive Producer of The Matrix]
Script - Andrew Niccol [The Truman Show, Gattaca], Shekhar Kapoor
Production Designer - John Myhre [He won Oscar for Chicago]
Editor - Jill Bilcock [Moulin Rouge, Elizabeth, Romeo & Juliet]
Art Direction - Nitin Desai
Executive Producer, Spokesperson - Deepak Chopra
Budget - $25 million
- The film, set in a Mumbai 20 years from now, will be scripted by Andrew Niccol who wrote
Peter Weir's Jim Carrey starrer, The Truman Show.
- "The design is very futuristic, almost Blade Runner-ish. The story is based 60 years from now
when water has run out. Water becomes a currency. And the rich have whatever water is available." - Shekhar Kapoor.
- This will be a love story in the midst of war, which breaks out when the rich control whatever water is available. According to Shekhar,
the film will be shot in September in the sets exclusively created in Mumbai. The entire star cast will be Indian. "The film will be shot in
Mumbai, but will project the city in another 40 years. The film will show how water becomes a currency and becomes the basis on which the rich
control the poor, making way for a rebellion. The movie predicts a time when the world will fight over water as they now fight over oil", Kapur
told media. "The film will have five central characters - three males, one child and one woman. We are still working on the script, as that will
be its strongest point. 'Paani', I am sure will take India to the world stage. I am getting the best talent to work on the movie and am hoping
that it will be able to conquer the world," says Shekhar.
- "Paani will essentially be a Romeo and Juliet-style love story set in a fictitious, futuristic city," Kapur told Screen International.
"The clash will be between the haves who control the city's water supply and the have-nots who suffer at the former group's hands. I hope this
film does for India what 'Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon' did for China." [Shekhar Kapoor, at a press conference, Cannes Film Festival 2003]
- "Though dealing with one of the most relevant issues facing our time, the film is designed to have a lot of energy, action and romance, without
losing its authenticity. In the end it is uplifting rather than depressing. It is what we term a commercial film." - Shekhar Kapur (Official Website]
- "I have to create a Mumbai which is 25 years into the future. This will start in October/November." - Nitin Desai
[
Keralaonline]
CURRENT STATUS - Pre-production works in progress.
Shekhar Kapur is currently scripting this film. No information yet as to when the film will go on the floors.
11) Bhairavi
Cast - Amitabh Bahchan, Abhishek Bachchan, Jaya Bachchan
Director - Rakyesh Omprakash Mehra
- The film has already been scripted, and is set in a background of classical music and familial
heritage. This film will begin after his Dilli6 is finished. Confirming this report, the Big B says, "Bhairavi is definitely in the pipeline.
Rakeysh has already sounded us out. All three of us - Jaya, Abhishek and me - are agreeable. But since it is a very big project, it requires a
great deal of planning. As of now, Bhairavi is the only film that will be bringing us together.
12) Rockstar
Cast - John Abraham
Director - Imtiaz Ali [Socha Na Tha, Jab We Met ]
Producer - UTV Motion Pictures
- Director Imtiaz Ali says, "Yes, John plays a singer cum guitar player in the film. Essentially, it's a love story
with some fantastic music by A R Rahman. It's a commercial film. Well, we are definitely working on something special. Every film has music but we
are trying out something different. In that sense, it can surely be perceived as a musical. A R Rahman is doing a brilliant job and we are very
excited about the music of the film. But at the end of the day it is about the journey of a young couple," he says.
- Ram Mirchandani, vice-president UTV says, "Rockstar will be our Rang De Basanti for 2007 in terms of music."
[
MumbaiMirror]
- John Abraham's character is named Jordan, as per reports.
CURRENT STATUS - Seems like in big trouble, as UTV has reportedly backed out of the project,
and as of now, the film looks as good as shelved.
The success of the director's Jab We Met seems to have rekindled some interest in this project recently.
Watch out these spaces for any updates on this front.
13) Chamki Chameli
http://www.chamkichameli.com
[NOT YET UP]
Cast - Priyanka Chopra, Jimmy Shergill, Sanjay Dutt (special appearance)
Director - Shyam Benegal
Producer - White Feather Films [Sanjay Dutt, Sanjay Gupta], Pravesh Sippy [WSG Pictures], Sheetal Vinod Talwar
Story - Atul Tiwari
Screenplay- Shama Zaidi
Cinematography - Rajan Kothari
Editor- Aseem Sinha
Production Designer- Sameer Chanda
Lyrics - Javed Akhtar
Budget - INR 9 crore
- Reports say that there will be 12 songs.
- As per reports, this is an Indianised version of the legendary Oscar Hammerstein musical 'Carmen'.
- [All about Carmen - In 1942, Oscar Hammerstein, American writer and producer of musicals, adapted Georges Bizet's 1875 opera, Carmen.
It is the love story of Carmen, a beautiful and seductive factory worker, and a soldier, Joe. When Joe kills his sergeant during a fight, the
lovers attempt to escape the police. But Carmen's faithlessness and selfishness cause her to eventually reject Joe for another man. The displaced
lover can't let her go, and his obsessive love ultimately leads to tragedy.]
- "Its a classic love story and a musical. It has lots of music, and we've signed on A.R.Rahman as the music director. Shama Zaidi has
scripted the film and I've also added my inputs. I want to shoot the film in winter as it's set in Rajasthan." - Shyam Benegal
- Chamki is a temptress who is responsible for the downfall of many men. She woos a BSF jawan Dilip Singh, leading him to revolt against his
superiors. His infatuation causes him to join a band of drug-runners, of which Chamki is a member. Dilip Singh is happy with Chamki for a brief
period, but is driven to madness as things from her dark past and her ambitious future come in the way.
CURRENT STATUS - First schedule of shooting was held in Jaipur, in the background of the famous
Pushkar fair. But movie seemed to be stalled ever since. Watch out these spaces, if any developements happen on this front.
14) Lajjo
Cast - Aamir Khan, Kareena Kapoor
Director - Mani Ratnam
Producer - Bobby Bedi [Kaleidoscope Films]
Story, Screenplay - Mani Ratnam
Dialogues - Anurag Kashyap
Cinematography - P.C.Sriram
Editor - A.Sreekar Prasad
Choreography - Farah Khan
Lyrics - Gulzar
- Unconfirmed reports say that the movie is based on Ismat Chugtai's novel 'Gharwali', based in the
Mughal era.
- "We worked really well together in 'Dil Se'. 'Chaiyya chaiyya', though poetically worded, connected with the young. Then in 'Yuva' Ratnam worked
with another lyricist. Now we're together again in 'Guru' and Ratnam's next 'Lajjo', which will be a welcome challenge. It will take me back to
Punjab and the pre-partition era - two of my favourite themes for writing," Gulzar told IANS.
Exclusive info on the movie from NaachGaana.com :-
This time, Mani has chosen to adapt Ismat Chughtai's Gharwali. Incidentally, this adaptation had gone on floors a few years ago with Nandita Das
and Paresh Rawal as the lead under the direction of Paresh Kamdar. However, that project soon got shelved.
Mani Ratnam's adaptation, unlike the one planned earlier, is named after its central female character Lajjo (Laajo in the original short-story).
Everyone is curious to know what Lajjo is all about. So here's some dope-
Ismat Chughtai, most notably known for her controversial 'Lihaaf' that centred around lesbianism, was a feminist writer who bravely wrote with
unabashed criticism about the manner in which women are treated in the patriarchal and often misunderstood Islamic doctrine of life. 'Gharwali' is
one of her lesser known works, made popular only recently by Naseeruddin Shah's stage adaptation featuring his own daughter Heeba Shah.
'Gharwali' is a heady satire on the social mores of the times (1940s) and is uncannily accurate in its observations on the nature of the man-woman
equation.
The story revolves around a bachelor Mirza sahib (played by Aamir Khan), who has not seen or felt a woman's presence in his life since his mother
passed away. He lives his predictable life running a general provisions store and going to brothels-until the arrival of Laajo(Kareena Kapoor).
Lajo is a young orphan who has survived by selling her body to men who have abused her. She is taken to Mirza's house by a friend who says he
should have a house maid. Lajo falls in love with the house, and the fact there is no other woman there, refuses to leave even as Mirza sahib is
calculating the unnecessary expense, and struggling with the uncomfortable thought of having a woman in his house. Lajo prevails and transforms
the house. Mirza first falls for her cooking and then for her charms. He stops going to brothels, and each day is now full of excitement and
anticipation. Even sales increase at the store when Lajo walks in with his lunch box in her sexy lehnga (long skirt). Then possessiveness begins to
rear its ugly head as Mirza starts getting jealous of all the male attention Lajo evokes and decides to marry her much against her protests.
Lajo is true to Mirza and doesn't think she needs to be married to be his.
Marriage predictably changes things. The sexy Lajo is now made to wear traditional clothes -the freedom that she so enjoys is curbed along with
the attire. The traits that Mirza found sexy in her, are now considered obscene and to discover that brazen sensuality Mirza used to find at home
he has now begun frequenting the brothels again.
Lajo finally loses her patience and looks elsewhere for love-in the arms of a young man (rumours indicate Madhavan or Abhishek Bachchan to play
this part) who often pretended to fly kites over her courtyard just to ogle at her. The duo is caught red handed by Mirza who beats her up and
then divorces her.. a few days later she walks back into the house as his maid and things go back to where they were before the ties of matrimony
tore them asunder! [
NaachGaana.com]
- Aamir and Kareena were in Mumbai recently for a photo shoot, under Maniratnam's supervision.
Aamir was dressed in a startched white Khadi while Kareena spotted a village belle look.
- Buzz is that Aamir Khan will be paid a whopping 10 crores for this film
CURRENT STATUS - Movie stalled at the moment, and Mani Ratnam & Aamir have moved to other projects.
15) Yahaan Ke Hum Sikander
Cast - Nana Patekar, Arjun Rampal, Suneil Shetty, Sohail Khan, Aftab Sivadasani, Sneha Ullal,
Rimii Sen, Ayesha Takia, Shawar Ali, Zulfi Sayed, Jas Arora, Chetan Hansraj
Director - Ahmed Khan
Script - Anees Bazmee [No Entry]
Producer - Silent Noise Productions, Adlabs
- Ahmed describes YAHAAN KE HUM SIKANDER as an emotional film, despite its sports-based theme. "It has
several poignant moments,"; he says [
Indiafm]
- "Baichung Bhutia will be helping us in the project. We are also planning to bring a top international
player over, for the mahurat shot. The film will be shot in India and abroad," says Ahmed Khan.
- "It's about two football teams comprising Hindus, Muslims and Christians and their two coaches and how the game of
football gets messed up by a religion-based fallout. Normally religion influences and instigates young, cool, college students. The two teams
start out as football players but religion soon starts a bitter fight amongst them and degenerates into a gruesome battle." The coaches of the two
teams step in to sort out the situation and teach the boys a lesson: student-hood is the religion here.
[Mid Day]
16) Ashoka [Historical, directed by Rajkumar Santoshi]
Cast - Ajay Devgan
Director - Rajkumar Santoshi
Producer - Rajkumar Santoshi, PVR Pictures
- "My Ashoka will open during the Battle Of Kalinga and move forward into the
Emperor's life and also recreate events pre-Kalinga through flashbacks. Though he was born in 265 BC, today Emperor Ashoka's message of Buddhist
peace at the time of terrible strife and war is more relevant than ever. I want my Ashoka to reach out to the young hip-and-happening generation.
It won't be a costume drama like Mughal-e-Azam. It will be a happening epic on the lines of Hollywood's Spartacus, Braveheart and Gladiator.
Technicians from all over the world are now being finalized. " - Rajkumar Santoshi
17) A Suitable Cockroach
Director - Shekhar Kapur
Animation - Prana Studios [Mumbai - India, Los Angeles -US]
Budget - INR 8 crores
- This project came in news coinciding with the 38th International Film Festival of India (IFFI) in Goa.
- This is an 'animated rap musical' based on Cockroach. The film is set in the future when the common household insect may be the only living organism
on the planet.
- The story of the movie will be of a NRI cockroach coming to India in search of a bride. The movie will be released on internet first.
- Kapur was wary of giving more details of this project, saying, "I can’t keep giving away my stories, someone will copy it".
18) Nair San
http://www.nairsan.com
Cast - Mohanlal, Jackie Chan, Koyuki, Anil Kapoor, Anupam Kher, Lara Dutta, Prof Taguchi, Gr Itagaki, Risku Fuwa
Director - Albert [Kanne Madanguka fame]
Dialogues - Ajith
Budget - INR 60 crores
- Reportedly features 2 Japanese songs and one Mangolian song.
- NAIR SAN: THE LEGENDARY INDIAN PATRIOT IN WORLD CINEMA (Courtesy: Official Website)
1964 Japan Olympics. It was a thrilling moment for India when Indian Hockey Team won the Gold.
But when the National anthem was being played at the medal distribution ceremony one among the crowd began shouting at the
Japanese Government only because of the fact that instead of India's National Anthem the authorities played Pakistani National Anthem.
Even though there were many officials and great personalities from India who were witnessing the incident none raised their voice
other than this great Indian. That was the Indian legendary hero Ayyapan Pllai Madhavan Nair famous as Nair San in Japan.
This is only one of the incidents which show the patriotism of this great man who became the reason for ending the Asian exploitation
by the British during the freedom struggle.
For those who know Nair san personally he is special in different ways. Nair San had to leave his native land Kerala at the age
of 18 as he campaigned among the students and led protests and marches against the social injustices of the British.
He rebelled against the Education tax polled by English rulers. Being settled in Japan he struggled hard to root out the
imperialism in Asian Countries. At the same time freedom fighters in India assembled men against English rulers.
His efficiency in Japanese, Chinese and Spanish languages lifted him above all other Indian freedom fighters in Japan such
as Netaji Subhash Chandra Bose, Rash Behari Bose, Pratap Singh, Barkathullah etc. Thus Nair San became an ever lively
presence in the strong and well arming agitation organized by Indian National Army and Indian Independence League.
Many thrilling moments in the life of Nair San are unknown. His strange experiences and dangerous encounters taking the roles of
a trader, a Holy lama and a Soofi during his one man expedition and exploration through the deserts and Plateau of Manchukia,
Ala Shaan, Mongolia, Tibet, and China in 1933 paved the way for ending the illicit wool trade of the British which contributed
the major source of their income.
When a renowned film Director from Kerala like Albert honored with awards for his debut film decided to take up the story of
Nair San for his next film it is a prestigious moment for the whole of India as the film is being designed in such a way so as
to attract the aesthetics of the International audience. Albert's passion and vision on Nair San is complemented by his tremendous
urge to discover new eras on the subject and to create a truly international class Asian film spanning different cultures,
languages and religions. The adventurous life of Nair San lighted the flame in Albert's mind to create such a film where the
Director's creative concept is used more than the mere historical approach. The story is based on 'Memories of Nair San' the
biography of A.M.Nair and the creative concept is developed by Albert himself.
Padmasree Mohanlal acts the lead role in the first Japanese film directed by an Indian. The other two famous actors in the film
are selected from Bollywood. The leading Japanese actress is preferred to be the heroine of Mohanlal. As Nair San married a
Japanese lady it is the perfect recreation by the director himself to select a Japanese actress as the
Discussions and attempts are moving fast to accommodate the world action hero Jackie Chan also in this film to play the role of a Cameo.
Music maestro A.R.Rahman will be doing music for the film. The traditional Mongolian & Japanese songs included in the film will be a
different experience for the music lovers.
The $7.5 million budget film is said to be a different experience for the film lovers worldwide as it is the result of the hard
work and enthusiasm of a handful of talented artists. As Japan is the second largest film market in the world the revenue
calculated from the movie will be much more than the budget of the film.
The major location of the film is Japan, Mongolia and India. The schedule of the film is planned within 145 days and it is
expected to release by the end of 2008. Albert had been in hazardous attempt to secure all the detailed knowledge for the
perfection of the film.
CURRENT STATUS - [From Official Website] The major location of the film is Japan, Mongolia and
India. The schedule of the film is planned within 145 days and it is expected to release by the end of 2008.
19) Ponnar Shankar
Cast - Prashanth
Director - Thyagarajan
Producer - Thyagarajan
Story - Dr.M.Karunanidhi (Chief Minister of Tamil Nadu)
- Based on the famous historical novel written by the Chief Minister M Karunanidhi in the same title.
- This filmm has Prashanth in a dual role - as Ponnar, and as Shankar - two war heroes in Tamil literature.
Prashanth said that this is his dream project. He added that he has been obsessed with the story ever since he read it. "I am now living as Ponner
and Sankar," the actor said.
- Ponnar Sankar is the story of siblings, Ponnar and Sankar, set in Palayankottai, who fight both British invasion of their territory and another
local rival faction where their sister has been given in marriage.
CURRENT STATUS- More details awaited.
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DOUBTFULS
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GO TO TOP
Films listed in this section were announced with A.R.Rahman's name. But most of these
projects doesn't show any signs of going on the floors. So, all these are as good as gone, but still listed in this website only for purely
academic interest.
1) Samjhauta Express
Cast - Abhishek Bachchan, Anil Kapoor, Manisha Koirala, Atul Kulkarni, Amitabh Bachchan (sp app)
Director - Rakesh Omprakash Mehra
Producer - ABCL
- "We needed an upbeat score that would rattle all the top 10 charts and still be period film music.
Rahman has accordingly come up with a very innovative score. I have also encouraged him to record a patriotic song that will be voiced by
Amitabh Bachchan, Rashid Ali and himself. He has shown me some of the programmed loops that may be retained in the final version, and believe me -
this song is a definite chartbuster." ,says Rakeysh Mehra, who hopes Rahman will create magic at the music charts in 2003.
CURRENT STATUS - "Looking at the current scenario I don't think I can make this
venture." - Rakesh Mehra [Rediff.com]. Going by this interview by Rakesh Mehra, this movie seems as good as shelved forever.
2) Ganga
Cast - Madhavan, Aiswarya Rai, Karishma Kapoor
Director - Shyam Benegal
CURRENT STATUS - No chance of this one happening, atleast not before Shyam Benegal finishes his
current venture, Chamki Chameli.
3) Engineer
Cast - Aravind Swamy, Madhuri Dixit
Director - Pravin Kanth
- one song by Kalyani Menon, Hariharan, Sujatha.
- "I'd listen to the catchy mellifluous A.R.Rahman songs in the film...", recalls Madhuri Dixit." [Rediff.com]
CURRENT STATUS- In early 2007, there were some reports about reviving this project.
But nothing seems to be happening on that front after that.
4) The Return Of The Thief Of Baghdad
Cast - Chiranjeevi, Salman Khan, Jean Claude Van Damme
Director - Gordon Hessler/Suresh Krissna
Script - Thomas Fucci, Jasmine Sabu (adapted from her novel 'Moon Shadow: The Adventures of the Thief of Baghdad')
Producer - Dr. Arjun Daluvoy
Distribution (International) - PM Entertainment company
Special Effects - John Herndon (Sixth Sense, American Beauty), in association with Pentafour
Audio Rights - Saregama-HMV
- song "Azizi" sung by Shahin Badar.
- "AR Rahman is very professional, caring and humble. He keeps himself to himself but his
personality shines through when he talks to you about his work. When I was in Mumbai recently he flew me over to Madras to record the Indian
version of the track Azizi. I'd like to do some more work with him for Bollywood,"; says Shahin.
- Since Gérard Schurmann has been hired as music supervisor because of his Academy Award-winning work on Lawrence of Arabia, Exodus,
Daluvoy also plans to market a CD featuring the soundtrack, but will release Indian and Arabic versions composed by A.R.Rahman. Daluvoy is
targeting an Arabic audience so that the people from the Middle East, where the story comes from, will have the enjoyment of listening to the
music in their own language, he explained to India-West.
- Hessler will shoot an English version of the film targeting the international audience, while Suresh Krishna will direct the Indian version,
which will adhere to the Bollywood formula of incorporating at least five Indian dances and songs into the plot.
- In this sequel to Thief of Baghdad, Abu ventures to the kingdom of Basran, where he finds the princess and the Sultan besieged by the
evil Prince Khalid, and sets about to free them from the evil wizard.
CURRENT STATUS- No idea where this one has gone. Hasn't heard anything about this for quite a
long time now.
5) The Last Revolutionary
Cast - Abhishek Bachchan
Director - Priyadarshan
Producer - Ripples Pictures Entertainment, Columbia Tristar (a Sony company)
Art Director - Sabu Cyril
Casting Director - Madhur Jaffrey
- Film based on the life on Chandrasekhar Azad.
CURRENT STATUS- Yet to take off.
6) Mughal-e-Azam
Cast - Amitabh Bachchan [as Emperor Akbar], Shah Rukh Khan [as Prince Salim], Aishwarya Rai [as Anarkali]
Director - Rajkumar Santoshi
Producer - Ratan Jain [Venus Films]
- "It's true that we were planning a historical at a point of time. It's also true that we did
speak to Santoshi about it. But it's not true that we're going ahead with the project. It's not viable economically in the current scenario."
- Ratan Jain
7) Waqia
Cast - Sanjay Kapoor,Karishma Kapoor
Director - Shivendra Singh
CURRENT STATUS- Haven't heard about this one after the initial announcement.
8) Neechcha Aasmaan
Cast - Urmila, Puru Rajkumar
Director - M.S.Satyu
Lyrics - Javed Akthar
CURRENT STATUS- Haven't heard about this one after the initial announcement.
9) A film produced by Javed Jaffrey and directed by Sangeeth Sivan
- This was mentioned by Javed Jaffrey himself in The Hindu, Cochin edition.
CURRENT STATUS- Haven't heard about this one after the initial announcement.
10) Prashant
Cast - Prashant, Jyothika
Director - S.A.Rajkannu
CURRENT STATUS- Haven't heard about this one after the initial announcement.
11) Jaggu Bhai
Cast - Rajnikanth
Director - K.S.Ravikumar
Producer - Arunachalam Films
Camera - Jeeva
Art - Sabu Cyril
Lyrics - Vairamuthu
- K.S.Ravikumar told sify.com, "I have nothing more to speak right now than what appeared in the ad.
We are still working out the script and probably Rajni sir will speak to the press at the appropriate time". [sify.com]
- Director K S Ravikumar has in an interview stated that the film Jaggubhai has not been dropped and that the shooting will take place as scheduled.
Jagan is the name of the film's central role done by Rajnikant and Bhai means elder brother. "He is not a terrorist nor has the film anything to
do with spiritualism. This film like Muthu, Baasha or Padayappa is a full length commercial entertainer. The film has shooting in Kolkata, Mumbai,
Bihar and Chennai. There is no politics in this film. Now that many are imitating Rajini this film will have him introduce a new style", revealed
Ravikumar. Since Aishwarya Rai did not have dates for 2 years the search for heroine continues. "The film would be released for Pongal 2005" said Ravikumar. [Galatta]
CURRENT STATUS- As per K.S.Ravikumar, Jagghubhai may start after Chandramukhi is over. [Indiaglitz.com].
But, both KSR and Rajini have gone ahead with other films, which makes Jaggubhai as good as shelved, atleast for the time being
12) Buddha
http://www.buddhathefilm.com
Producers - Dr. Bhupendra Kumar Modi [Buddha Films]
Director - Shekhar Kapur
Writer - Deepak Chopra
Production Design - John Myre
- Aishwarya Rai, Brad Pitt, Richard Gere are among prominent names being circulated in the media
for main roles in the film.
CURRENT STATUS-
Oh, well..I guess it had to happen
I am not doing Buddha any more
I am both very sad and somewhat relieved
Sad because I was looking forward to a personal journey
Relieved because my interpretation was so personal
that I knew I would have had to fight all the way for the creativity of the film [
Shekhar Kapur's blog]
- Dr.B.K.Modi announced revival of this film at Cannes 2006, with a new director at the helm. Shyam Benegal has been reportedly chosen to direct
this film. But whether ARR will still be part of the new project is not sure as of now.
13) 9:30 - 10:00
Cast - Surya
Director - Vasanth
Producer - Kavithalayaa
- As the title suggests, it would be a movie about the thrilling happenings in the life of a hero
between 9.30 and 10 on a rainy day. [Indiaglitz]
- "Its an experimental love story with Rahman's music. The caption for the film is 'love unlimited'." - Vasanth (2001)
CURRENT STATUS - In a recent interview to The Hindu Vasanth said that this movie will be
launched soon, with Surya in the lead. But Surya has refuted this, saying that he doesnt have any dates free for the next one year, so no way of
him doing this film. Keep watching these spaces for more updates on this, as the drama unfolds..
14) Yelelo
Cast - Parthiban
Director - Parthiban
Producer - Parthiban [Bioscope Film Framers]
- Supposed to have 10 songs
- Title song by Sudha Raghunandhan
- As per unconfirmed reports, 4 songs are over. Also that a song "Vaanam Vaanam
" sung by Karthik has been recorded. - "Its a stunning song with tap dancing percussion, with a unique
blend of Tamil folk music."
- TN Chief minister and poet Dr.M.Karunanidhi is penning the lyrics for one song. The song is apparently based on the Pongal festival.
- Speaking at the launch function of the film, Rahman said that director Parthiban had narrated two
stories to him. He felt that there was ample scope for folk music in the second story, which he had accepted and is titled 'Yelelo&'.
Rahman said that for this movie he has decided to blend the local folk music elements with Irish folk music songs. He hoped that this experiment
will present these styles in a new light.
- Director Parthiban talking about the film said that the movie had a rural theme and was going to be shot entirely in one village. Since around
6 to 7 songs were going to be picturized in the same set in the village, he had insisted on all the songs being ready before the shooting could
begin. Parthiban is glad that Rahman has taken special interest in this film and has high expectations from the film.
CURRENT STATUS- This project looks as good as shelved.
15) Tara Rum Pum
Cast - Hrithik Roshan, Preity Zinta
Director - Shekhar Kapoor
- one song by Pervez (of 'Dard-e-dil' fame)
- This project was announced long time back. Recent reports in rediff.com suggest that Shekhar Kapoor is planning to revive this project.
16) Autograph [Hindi]
Cast - Abhishek Bachchan, Aishwarya Rai Bachchan, Lara Dutta, Priyanka Chopra
Director - Raj Kumar Santoshi
Producer - Suresh Sharma
- This was reported in Zee Cinema, Dinamalar etc. More details awaited.
17) Untitled film
Cast - Amitabh Bachchan, Reema Sen, Hrithik or Salman.
Director - Raj Kumar Santoshi
Producer - Suresh Sharma
- Initially supposed to be directed by Raj Sippy, who had mad many hits with Big B in the past,
their last film together being the mega hit 'Sathe Pe Satha'.
18) Siddhartha the Buddha [Broadway Musical]
- Rahman told Playbill On-Line that he is working on the new musical, Siddhartha the Buddha,
with noted filmmaker Shekhar Kapur and alternative medicine's Deepak Chopra. "It's probably going to debut in Las Vegas," said Rahman.
"It's a really spiritual kind of musical about the Buddha . . . but it's in the very early discussion stage."
19) Dragon Fire
http://www.kaleido-scope.com/~indiafm/partners_crossover.htm
Director - Mani Ratnam
Producer - Crossover Films [Bobby Bedi, Mani Ratnam]
Story - Humphrey Hawksley
- Dragonfire is set 20 years in the future and is the story of a renegade Indo-Tibetan Border Police
Colonel who kidnaps a Tibetan political prisoner from a prison in Lhasa. The film is set in the backdrop of a nuclear flashpoint and the political
dynamics of India, Pakistan, Burma, Bangladesh, China, Japan and in the context of the impact it will have on the western world.
- This info appeared in the official website of Bobby Bedi's Kaleidoscope Films. Bobby Bedi in his recent interview mentioned that his next
project will be a directorial venture by Mani Ratnam. Official announcements still awaited regarding this project.
20) Singularity
Cast - Brendan Fraser, Vivek Oberoi, Aishwarya Rai
Director - Roland Joffe
Producer - Luzardero LLC Production Company, Lightmotive Inc., Franchise Pictures
- This movie was previously titled 'The Invaders'.
- This is a period drama, set against the backdrop of the battle of Wadgaon in 1779. The British were defeated in the battle. Vivek Oberoi was to
play the role of Maratha warrior Udaji and Brendan Fraser was cast as James Stuart, the British captain who led the offensive. Aishwarya Rai was
reportedly playing the role of an Indian spy called Taluja. The film has been budgeted at $40 million.
- As per an
interview with the film's producer Ajay Jhankar,
they are negotiating with A.R.Rahman to do the music. The ball seems to be in Rahman's court right now. ARR might or might not sign this depending
on availability of his time, it seems.
21) Tenali [Hindi]
Cast - Shah Rukh Khan, Kamal Hasaan
- Reports say that Shah Rukh Khan wishes to remake this Tamil superhit Kamal Haasan starrer, and that,
it will retain same musical score by ARR from the Tamil original. Shah Rukh apparently wants Kamal Haasan to direct this film. More details awaited.
22) Baiju Aur Tansen
Cast - Amitabh Bachchan [as Tansen], Shah Rukh Khan [as Baiju]
Director - Krishna Shah
Production - Movie Moghuls Pvt Ltd (Krishna Shah)
- "A Bollywood musical operetta", according to Krishna Shah.
- Film producer Krishna Shah, maker of the 70's bilingual film, 'Shalimar' is planning a grand return on Bollywood with 'Tansen,' a magnum opus
based on the life and times of one of Emperor Akbar's nine jewels. Shah plans to cast Amitabh Bachchan in the title role of Tansen, while
Shah Rukh Khan will portray the role of 'Baiju', who was Tansen's strongest contender for the title of the greatest classical singer ever.
He plans to sign A.R.Rahman to do the music. [Sify.com]
- "A R Rahman will compose the music." - Krishna Shah [
Times Of India]
- "AR Rahman has consented to compose the music and this fact has added to my faith in the project."- Krishna Shah [
Screen]
- "I have A.R. Rahman. I think he's the Mozart of Asia. When I narrated the subject to him I was bowled over by his knowledge of Hindi music and
gypsy music originating from Rajasthan. Rahman will take quite a while to get the music in place. So I'll do my Indo-Pak love story first." -
Krishna Shah [Subhash K. Jha, Indo-Asian News Service]
23) Listen (single)
- Part of a unique international project, 'Listen' aims to raise $ 99 million for downtrodden children
of the third millennium.
- For the 'Listen' project, Rahman will be composing a modified version of one of Beethoven's symphonies.
- In India, two NGOs - 'Save the Children' and 'Consortium for Street Children' - are expected to benefit from the proceeds of the project.
- The 'Listen' campaign includes two one-hour international TV specials, two albums, two videos and a spectacular three-hour international
television concert from India.
- 'Listen' has the support of 99 creative artists. They include film stars Brooke Shields, Liam Nesson, Vanessa Redgrave, Goldie Hawn,
Jeff Bridges, Jamie Lee Curtis and Susan Sarandon; musicians Peter Gabriel, John Lee Hooker, Sting and A.R.Rahman; visual artists Jeff Koons,
Sheela Gowda and Robert Wilson, and songwriters Diane Warren and Lamont Dozier.
CURRENT STATUS- Don't know what has happened to this one!
24) Film on Mozart
- A.R.Rahman is likely to compose a part of the track for an unusual international film project being
planned to coincide with the 250th birth anniversary of Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart.
- The brainchild of Salzburg-based Austrian music composer and violinmaker Winrich Sturies, the film has been in the works for over six months.
"It will roll very soon," says Sturies. "The release of the film is planned for mid 2006."
- The Indian partner in the film venture, Sanjay Kaushik of the Paramount group of companies, says the details are all in place. "The script is
ready, talks are on with Rahman and the process of casting will be completed before we set a firm date for the shoot to begin. The film," asserts
Kaushik, "will be a full-fledged international production that will have substantial Indian participation. The link between the West and India
will be organic and natural, not forced as is usually the case with such film projects."
- Sturies has lined up a series of concerts all around Europe under the rubric Project Planet-Mozart.
- The film, scripted by Sturies himself, is an extension of that celebration of the work of one of the finest music composers the world has ever
known. "One of the key characters in the proposed film is an Indian," reveals Sturies. The storyline is set in two eras - Mozart's own and that of
a fictional 17-year-old new millennium boy, Nicholas. The two men meet and play together. A key subplot in the film has Nicholas falling in love
with an Indian girl and travelling to this part of the world."
[
Link]
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OTHER INFO
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GO TO TOP
- Prasoon Joshi's social campaign titled "Stand Up Against Poverty, Stand Up For Millennium
Development Goals", in which Rehman has participated, could qualify for an entry into the Guinness book of records.The campaign, which
featured A.R.Rahman, Sachin Tendulkar, Aamir Khan and Rahul Dravid, had participation of over 9.7 million Indian citizens which made it the
largest figure in the world from a single nation. More about this noble campaign
HERE and
HERE.
Video featuring A.R.Rahman's message
HERE.
- 26-year-old Punjabi music producer from London, Rishy Rich says his next project is a music album
with A.R.Rahman. More details awaited.
-....Bangladeshi Singer Faria Etem is just back from Chennai where she recorded a song for music
director A.R.Rahman. But Faria refuses to divulge any details about her Rahman project, apart from saying, "It's a solo with beautiful lyrics
which is typical of Rahman. He heard me sing somewhere and asked me to record one song for him." [
New Indian Express
]
- Madhushree has recorded a song for Subhash Ghai's now-shelved project 'Motherland'.
"The most complicated song I have ever sung, is the song that we recently recorded for the Subhash Ghai movie. Rahman ji has used some 3-4 raagas
and it is so amazing!!" - Madhushree [Aahaa FM (91.9 FM) - Chennai] [Info courtesy -
Aravind AM, ARRYFG]
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