Imagine TV's Swayamvar seems to be losing its charm. Ratan Ka Rishta - the third season recorded the lowest ever ratings for the debut episode of the show, while Sony TV's romantic drama Bade Achche Lagte Hain emerged a winner when both shows hit the small screen the same day.
Both shows went on air Monday, but at different time slots.
Bade Achche Lagte Hain, which has brought back two of Indian television's best known faces - Sakshi Tanwar and Ram Kapoor, back to the tube, garnered a television rating point (TRP) of 1.5. While the third season of Swayamvar on Imagine TV lagged behind with a 1.2 rating, according to data provided by audience measurement agency aMap.
This is the worst ever rating for the Swayamvar, where a celebrity gets to choose his or her life partner.
The first episode of the first season of Rakhi Ka Swayamvar, featuring controversy queen Rakhi Sawant as the prospective bride, mamaged a record-breaking TRP of 3.5 for Imagine TV. And the debut episode of the second season Rahul Dulhaniya Le Jaayega with Rahul Mahajan got a 2.4 rating.
It is possible that the non-controversial nature of Ratan, popular for her show Agle Janam Mohe Bitiya Hi Kijo, has led to this drastic dip in the TRPs. The first episode of the show, which aired 8 p.m., saw the introduction of the 16 prospective grooms.
The release date of Mere Brother Ki Dulhan, starring Imran Khan, Katrina Kaif and Ali Zafar has been pushed from July to September 9.
The makers saw no point in releasing the film the same month as Imran Khan's Delhi Belly and Katrina Kaif's Zindagi Na Milegi Dobara.
A source said, "MBKD is YRF's next big film. They decided to play it safe rather than battle it out with two other biggies starring their lead stars. Imran Khan's Delhi Belly releases July 1 and Katrina's ZNMD will be out on July 15. The overlapping of stars might confuse the audience."
Moreover, Imran and Katrina would also be required to promote their other films. As a result, there will be clash of dates and it could affect the publicity of their film.
Bejoy Nambiar's film Shaitan, which is touted as showing the dark side of the life of Mumbai youngsters, doesn't intend to have shock value to grab attention, says actor Gulshan Devaiya.
"I don't think we have done anything, which would have a shock value. It was scripted and it was in a flow. If it turns out something is shocking, then its ok but it's not done intentionally to shock people or to grab attention," Gulshan told in an interview.
Produced by filmmaker Anurag Kashyap, Shaitan traces the life of five youngsters from Mumbai's urban scape and how in covering up an accident, these intelligent, good looking and "uber-cool" youngsters had to dig out the flip side of their character that lurks within.
"I don't think it's intended to show Mumbai in a different perspective, but it wanted to show how young people who live a very fast paced life in the city. It's also shows how young people are adapting themselves with the new Mumbai," said Gulshan.
He was initially offered the role of the police officer played by actor Rajiv Khandelwal but he had failed to impress Nambiar in the audition, he revealed.
"I was first called for the role of Mathur the cop, played by Rajiv Khandelwal. He wanted to shoot a scene with me and see if I fit the role. I think Rajiv Khandelwal was busy and was unable to give him time. So he was considering me.
"I shot for whole one day. It was a very tiring shot. I had to spend the whole day with a big moustache. I don't think he was really happy with how the shot came out and said he will let me know," said Gulshan.
Actress Kalki Koechlin, who has also worked with him in theatres and later in Kashyap's The Girl in Yellow Boots, then suggested his name to Nambiar for the role of KC.
"Kalki suggested my name for KC, because he hadn't finalised on the cast. So I took the scene, prepared for it and was auditioned. Again Bejoy Nambiar didn't call me. So I called because I was getting jittery. He confirmed me and that's how I got the role," said Gulshan, who has a long association with Kalki since his theatre days.
Gulshan himself was also more inclined towards the role he grabbed than that he was offered initially.
"Personally, I feel that Mathur's character is the best of the film but somehow I was instinctively drawn towards KC because I thought it would be a nice role, I would enjoy playing KC. So when I shot for Mathur I couldn't give my 100 per cent. I was somehow fantasizing the role of KC," said Gulshan.
The actor was enticed to do play KC because it's a very edgy role but he personally doesn't identify with the character at all.
"I am not like KC at all. I don't like too many people around, going to nightclubs, all this loud music, I don't do drugs, I don't even smoke though I occasionally enjoy my drinks. I didn't find the role difficult I found it interesting. I wanted to do it," he said.
The theatre actor had also played a small role in Rohan Sippy's recent release Dum Maro Dum and is again to be seen as a undercover gangster in The Girl in Yellow Boots.
Though he played grey characters in three consecutive films, Gulshan made a conscious effort to keep each of them radically discrete from each other.
"My character Ricky in Dum Maaro Dum is of a peddler and I played a gangster in 'The Girl in Yellow Boots' but I didn't draw any reference from any of my previous characters. I tried to keep KC as far away as possible in terms of look, speaking and walking style. I try to keep all the character as far away from me as possible. That's why I don't do TV commercials, because they want you as you are. It's very boring," said Gulshan.
National award winning actor-director duo, Dhanush and Vetri Maaran, go back a long way.
They worked together on Maaran's 2007 directorial debut Polladhavan and Aadukalam, their second collaboration, won six National awards this year. But the director has said no to a hat-trick.
The 35-year-old filmmaker says that his next offering, still in the scripting stage, will not star Dhanush, the son-in-law of superstar Rajinikanth.
"I believe in change. If you keep on working with the same people it gets boring for both parties. We need to keep changing. I am not working with Dhanush in my next movie," Maraan told PTI.
Both his films have found success at the box office and the director frankly says that he makes movies to make money, not to gather awards.
"I make films to recover the cost, to make money and not to get awards. Awards are always welcome but acceptance by the audience is more important," he said.
The film's haul at the 58th National awards surprised the director who says that awards should not be a yardstick to judge a movie.
"I was surprised and was not ready to accept it. My friend called me up and said 'Its your day' which I couldn't quite understand. I thought we won the best regional film award.
"Awards are always in tandem with the jury. There are great films that go unnoticed at times and so awards should not be a yardstick to judge films. I was a little sad that my cinematograper R Velraj didnt get an award but then I respect the decision of the jury," added Maaran, who has earlier assisted noted filmmakers like Balu Mahendra and Kathir.
The director who entered filmdom after a stint in TV, said that Aadukalam, which takes a look at the mysterious world of rooster fighting, is not an art house film and was made keeping the mainstream Tamil audience in mind.
"My film was meant for a mainstream Tamil audience. It is not an art film. In the past we have seen that National Awards are usually given to art house films. I think that the ethnic feel of the film impressed the jury. Preserving the identity is very important in any culture and that has always been my aim," said the filmmaker.
Over the years Bollywood remakes of Tamil films have become blockbusters and Maraan says that it is a positive trend.
"Bollywood remaking Tamil movies is fine as long as they are well made. I dont mind if Aadukalam is remade in Hindi but it should be as good as the original if not better.
"I am not sure about the lead actor but I would like either Naseeruddin Shah or Nana Patekar to play the role of the mentor Pettaikaran. It is a very intense character and who better than these veteran actors to essay the role," he said.
"Dabangg" actress Sonakshi Sinha has been announced as the new face of the D'Damas diamond jewellery brand.
She has taken over from Preity Zinta."Sonakshi Sinha is the face of the new Indian woman who is confident, versatile and has got tremendous self-belief. She has the charisma, grace, beauty and the attitude that goes perfectly with the brand image," said R.K. Menon, COO, D'damas Jewellery India Pvt Ltd.
The 23-year-old is also associated with brands like Dyna Soap, Colgate toothpaste and Provogue's women wear line where she is seen endorsing the products.
"I connect with D'Damas because I personally live each moment to the fullest and believe in celebrating life. D'Damas adds celebration to both ordinary and even the everyday special occasions," said Sonakshi.
