A dazzling 'Green Carpet' welcome was given to Ram Gopal Varma's "Sarkar Raj" that premiered on the opening day of the three-day International Indian Film Academy (IIFA) awards gala here on Friday evening as scores of fans chanted "Abhishek, Abhishek", to welcome Bollywood actor Abhishek Bachchan, who stars in the film with his glamorous wife Aishwarya and iconic father Amitabh.
The three Bachchans were the cynosure of all eyes at the Paragon Cineplex, where the movie was screened and which was splashed with numerous posters of the film. Hordes of Indian and foreign fans were waiting to catch a glimpse of their favourite stars at the venue.
Sahej, 12, a girl from Chandigarh, has come to Bangkok for a vacation. "I came to know that IIFA was taking place here only on the flight. So I came here to watch the stars," a gushing Sahej told media.
Another young fan, 16-year-old Rishi from Kolkata, wanted to watch the premiere of the film but could only manage to see the film stars. "I tried to get the passes for the movie, but couldn't. But I am happy to have seen my favourite stars here," he said.
Though the Bachchan family kept their fans waiting for almost two hours, it failed to dampen their enthusiasm to see the stars walk down the green carpet. The IIFA decided on a green carpet premiere to show its concern over global warming.
Amitabh walked in with his wife Jaya Bachchan, followed by Abhishek and Aishwarya. Among other Indian star celebrities at the premiere were Shabana Azmi, Javed Akhtar, David Dhawan, Navin Nischol, Ajay Bijli, Zayed Khan, veteran actress Mumtaz with her daughters and also Neil Nitin Mukesh.
Though Kareena Kapoor, Viveik Oberoi, Urmila Matondkar and Diya Mirza are here to attend the IIFA, they preferred to give the "Sarkar Raj" premiere a miss.
Thai princess Sirindhorn, who was to attend the premiere, arrived late amid tight security after all the stars had settled down, and made a quiet exit.
The high numbers of foreign media covering the IIFA is an indication of the success of the event. Foreign media persons even sat and watched "Sarkar Raj".
The IIFA, which aims to promote brand Bollywood beyond Indian shores, is in its ninth edition. It has travelled across three continents and eight countries since its inception in 2000. Last year it was held in Yorkshire.
Sunday, June 8, 2008
Sarkar Raaj gets ausome Response from IIFA
Tuesday, June 3, 2008
SANIA Falls for Sarkaar Raj!!!
The Bachchans are all excited about their forthcoming film Sarkar Raj which opens across cinema halls this coming Friday.
Just last week, Amitabh along with beta Abhishek and bahu Aishwarya attended an event in the suburbs where the background score of Sarkar Raj was launched by T-Series. With the IPL mania finally coming to an end, all are now eagerly awaiting one of the first big releases this summer. And it’s not just our aam junta who is looking forward to this film but it seems that even tennis sensation Sania Mirza is eagerly awaiting the release of Sarkar Raj.
In fact just the other day, Sania was shooting next door to Amitabh Bachchan at Mehboob Studios in Mumbai. When she knew that ‘Sarkar’ himself was in the vicinity she expressed her desire to meet him and wish him luck for his film. It may be recalled that Sania had even come on Bachchan’s popular game show KBC a few years back. Big B immediately came out of the shoot, when he heard that Sania has been waiting to meet him. After the exchange of pleasantries, Sania introduced her mother and sister to the superstar, and they wished him all the luck for Sarkar Raj. What’s more, Sania even appreciated the promos and said that even though she would be traveling abroad next week, she would definitely take time out and watch Sarkar Raj
Looks like Big B has yet another solid fan added to his humongous list of admirers.
Sunday, June 1, 2008
Background Score of Sarkaar Raj Released
The background score of Bollywood's much hyped film 'Sarkar Raj' was released in India's entertainment capital Mumbai.
Sarkar Raj became the first feature film in India to release its background score. "Power of Sound", the background score album has 32 tracks composed by Amar Mohile.
Tremendous popularity of 'Govinda Govinda' theme earlier in the prequel, Sarkar, also made the producers go in for this kind of release, the producers of the movie drew their inspiration from the Hollywood tradition of releasing the background scores separately.
Ram Gopal Varma, who is the director of the film, has jointly produced the film along with Praveen Nischol.
Some of the best works of Ram Gopal Varma include Rangeela, Satya, Bhoot, Company, Sarkar and Shiva.
The star cast of the film includes Amitabh Bachchan, Abhishek Bachchan, Aishwarya Rai, Tanisha Mukherjee and Victor Banerjee to name a few.
Bollywood super star Amitabh Bachchan, while interacting with the media present at the background score release function the super star spoke about the importance of background score in the movies.
"We don't have it (Background score) in real life but then we don't have lot of things connected with cinema in real life. But Background score is something that is very dear to me. I look at it very closely, I'm influenced by it and it involves a lot of emotions when its not there it provides impetuous to a particular situation. These are wonderful tools which a film maker has to make his product even look better," said Amitabh Bachchan.
One of the leading Indian actresses and the daughter-in-law of Amitabh Bachchan, Aishwarya Rai spoke about her experiences during the shoot.
"For me obviously this movie was precious and we enjoyed working in it. I've been privileged to share screen space with Amit ji (Amitabh Bachchan) and Abhishek Bachchan......as colleagues. It has always been a pleasure of working together before as well and that continues but of course today its always spoken to in reference with the fact that we are family but it doesn't take away from the honour, the privilege of working together as actors," said Aishwarya Rai.
Sarkar Raj is an intense political drama and which explores the politics of development and takes a fresh look at the tradition versus modernity debate.
The movie is slated for June 6 release.
Wednesday, May 28, 2008
Cannes Film Festival & Aish - An Old Bond
While Aishwarya Rai understands the constant need for people to check out her clothes and accessories at important events, what the star actor can't fathom is why her clothes at the Cannes Film Festival become more important than what she does.
'I don't even want to think about what people thought of my clothes earlier and what they think of it now. To me how I conduct myself at Cannes and how people react to me are far more important than what I wear,' Aishwarya, who has been attending the prestigious film fest since 2002.
'Cannes has always been a marvellous and memorable experience. This time was no different. It's never about the wardrobe for me. I don't focus on that at all,' added the actress who went there for the first time with 'Devdas'. She reminisces about each year she has attended the Cannes fest, saying: 'That was the year of 'Devdas'. That experience remains embedded in my mind. It wasn't just about how much they liked me in a sari or walking the red carpet. It was more memorable for the standing ovation that we got after the screening of 'Devdas'. What an ovation! It was a very special experience.
'Next I was in Cannes as a jury member and that's where sections of the media formed their own jury and began to assess my dress. After that I was there to inaugurate the festival and thereafter each year as the brand ambassador for L'Oreal.'
'In an interview there I was asked if our visit to Cannes was a delayed anniversary celebration. I was like... noooooo!' Apart from attending events and obliging shutterbugs, the actress managed to entertain herself by catching up with a couple of movies.
She smiles at the memory of bonding with Eva Longoria of 'Desperate Housewives'. 'We bonded so well at Cannes no one would believe we had just met. Actually Eva, Rachida Brakni, who did the original French version of 'Chaos', which I was supposed to do and who's now been taken on as L'Oreal's brand ambassador - all of us got married recently. So all three of us had something in common.'
She refers to meeting French actor Jean Reno as another memorable moment at Cannes.
'Jean Reno came up to me and said he had heard good things about my film 'Pink Panther'. These legendary actors are so hassle-free. They don't think twice about approaching you with a smile and kind words. That stays with you. So much less taxing than making an effort to avoid people,' she said.
On the home front, her fans are eagerly waiting to see her with Amitabh and Abhishek Bachchan in 'Sarkar Raj', which is releasing June 6.
Saturday, May 24, 2008
First Look ON "Sarkaar Raj"
Synopsis :
When Anita Rajan, CEO of an international firm, brings a power plant proposal to set up in rural Maharashtra, before the Nagres, the insightful Shankar is quick to realize its benefits. After convincing Sarkar, Shankar along with Anita goes to the villages to mobilize support of the masses. However, things are not what they seem to be. From shady fixers with an eye on multi-million kick-backs to wannnabes who are ready to incite millions of people against the highly controversial project, Shankar's dream project gradually becomes a political minefield. Evil forces gang up to bring down the regime of Sarkar and obliterate Shankar's name from the political horizon.
Star Cast:
Tuesday, May 6, 2008
Sarkar V/S Sarkar Raj?
One of the most awaited films of this year Sarkar Raj will be releasing on 6th June. It is the much awaited sequel to the acclaimed hit film Sarkar by Ram Gopal Varma. Wondering what will be different this time in Sarkar Raj ? We have all the details.
Sarkar was inspired by Francis Ford Coppola's film The Godfather , but the sequel will be completely original. The film stars Amitabh Bachchan, Abhishek Bachchan, and Aishwarya Rai Bachchan for the first time in a film post Aishwarya and Abhishek's marriage.
Wednesday, April 23, 2008
Synopsis Of Sarkar Raj
When Anita Rajan, CEO of an international firm, brings a power plant proposal to set up in rural Maharashtra, before the Nagres, the insightful Shankar is quick to realize its benefits. After convincing Sarkar, Shankar along with Anita goes to the villages to mobilize support of the masses. However, things are not what they seem to be. From shady fixers with an eye on multi-million kick-backs to wannnabes who are ready to incite millions of people against the highly controversial project, Shankar’s dream project gradually becomes a political minefield. Evil forces gang up to bring down the regime of Sarkar and obliterate Shankar’s name from the political horizon.Tuesday, April 22, 2008
Dad Bachchan Tells Aish-Abhi to Behave Properly
It was a wonderful idea well-implemented. The unveiling of the first look Sarkaar Raj to the media and selected guests on Sunday evening..Unfortunately, though not surprisingly, the focus of the event shifted somewhat from the film to the couple of the evening Aishwarya and Abhishek Bachchan who celebrated their first wedding anniversary the same evening and were on video-conference from Miami talking to the press.
During the interaction, Big B had to 'warn' the duo to 'behave themselves' as they cosied up before the video camera. "I see you doing some khusur fusur. There is the media here watching you," the superstar told the couple. Naturally mediapersons got more interested in the couple's anniversary plans than their take on the film. In fact Aishwarya was quizzed as much about Shankar's Robot and Karan Johar's Dostana as Sarkaar Raj.
But Ramu didn't seem to mind. He was just thrilled to be the first filmmaker to bring his film's stars to the media via satellite.
"In fact," joked Ramu. "This could set a new precedent. Stars could now refuse to show up for film events and just speak to the media from home."
The couple said that they had begun their day seeking blessings of their respective parents.
"My father's best gift to me has been his blessings and his acceptance of the lady I wanted to marry a year ago," Abhishek said.
Ash said both she and Abhishek had gifted each other 'togetherness' for a lifetime. Mr Bachchan seemed extremely pleased with the outcome. "The event was just so enthralling. The film, the promo and most of all the children (Abhishek and Aishwarya) live from Miami with us on this a very auspicious day, their anniversary. It was a personal moment and yet so public."
