France offers tax breaks to lure Bollywood money



Mumbai: France is offering a range of tax breaks and incentives to lure
Bollywood producers to its shores, a French official said.
"Indian film producers will get tax benefits if they come down to France for
film shootings," said Franck Pirot, deputy director of Film France, an
agency set up by the French government to attract foreign film shoots to the
country.

Pirot, who did not offer details about the tax incentives on offer, was in
Mumbai this week with a French delegation to meet Bollywood heavyweights.
"Six years ago no one in France thought that Indian commercial films will
become so big, but now Bollywood is very big in France and lots of people
are fascinated by Indian cinema," Pirot told a gathering of Bollywood
producers late on Monday.
He said the Bollywood flicks Lagaan and Monsoon Wedding were big hits in
France and triggered a craze for Hindi movies.
Pirot said thousands of locations in France would suit Bollywood film shoots
noting that the producers of Vaada had recently shot a musical number in
the French city of Lyon.
Producer Ramesh Sippy said France held strong potential and could emerge as
an ideal location for outdoor Bollywood shootings.
"I could consider shooting one of my future films there if the script
demands," he said.
"France has beautiful scenery and it would be interesting to watch them on
big screen, but we will have to set up a story to go to France and shoot."
British Prime Minister Tony Blair in September signed a joint production
treaty with the Indian government to help British and Indian film-makers
make films in both countries.
Switzerland has long been a favourite international destination of Bollywood
film-makers, followed by New Zealand and Australia

__________________
I don't have an attitude problem. You have a perception problem.

If you can't see the bright side of life, polish the dull side.

Never argue with a fool. People might not know the difference.

When you're right, no one remembers. When you're wrong, no one forgets.

no offense meant but - French are strange people. Germany are stranger, they don't know how to smile (Has anyone seen Michael Shumaker laugh out Loud???).

Meanwhile, I was glad when I heard this but the visa row which erupted earlier this week between India and French is not going to help anyone.

Return of the chocolate hero

No, this is not a file photo of Aamir Khan. The actor really has turned back time to look like his hot, younger self. Yesterday Aamir met four kids who had won a lunch date with him through kids’ channel Pogo



Dil chahta hai!
We don’t know what Aamir was thinking when Mid Day photographer Nimesh Dave caught him in the middle of this look, but Khan was relaxed and ready to take on the fab four

__________________
I don't have an attitude problem. You have a perception problem.

If you can't see the bright side of life, polish the dull side.

Never argue with a fool. People might not know the difference.

When you're right, no one remembers. When you're wrong, no one forgets.

How much is riding on the 2005 Diwali releases?

Syed Firdaus Ashraf | October 31, 2005 15:44 IST


With big Bollywood banners missing in action this Diwali and Eid, the mantle has fallen on producers like Vashu Bhagnani and Ratan Jain to entertain people in this festive season.

Last year, as much as Rs 1 billion was at stake during the Diwali season, thanks to Yash Chopra's Veer-Zaara, Abbas-Mastan's Aitraaz, Ram Gopal Varma's Naach and K Asif's re-released Mughal-e-Azam.

This year, it's barely half that amount, with movies like Priyadarshan's Kyon Ki and Garam Masala and David Dhawan's Shaadi No 1.

"In the past few years, Yash Chopra and Karan Johar's films dominated the box office in Diwali. But this year, they are not ready with their films," says trade analyst Taran Adarsh.

At the movies, this Diwali

"Traditionally, big banners release a film every Diwali but this year they have kept away as their films are not ready," adds trade analyst Vinod Mirani. "Last year, it was a bigger Diwali release at the box office because Yash Chopra directed a film after seven years and the re-release of the colour version of Mughal-e-Azam."

Like last year, this year too Diwali and Eid are almost coinciding. To cash on the festive mood, filmmakers are releasing their films on Tuesday, November 1, instead of the usual Friday.

But unlike last year, rib-ticklers are ruling the roost this year with Shaadi No 1 and Garam Masala. Kyon Ki is the only non-comedy release this Diwali.

"Off late, feel-good films are doing well at the box office and there are chances that these films too will click," Mirani says.

Malayali director Priyadarshan has two films at the marquee this year -- Kyon Ki (Salman Khan, Kareena Kapoor, Rimii Sen) and Garam Masala (Akshay Kumar and John Abraham).

David Dhawan's Shaadi No 1 has a big cast including Sanjay Dutt, Fardeen Khan, Zayed Khan, Sharman Joshi, Soha Ali Khan and more.

Dhawan and his producer Vashu Bhagnani are coming together after a long break of seven years, and hope to repeat their No 1 magic (like Hero No 1, Coolie No 1). Only now, their favourite hero Govinda has been replaced by Sanjay Dutt.

Dhawan's last few films like Mujhse Shaadi Karogi and Maine Pyaar Kyun Kiya have hit bull's-eye, and escalated him to the league of top directors once again.

On the other hand, this is the first time that Priyadarshan will be directing Salman and Kareena. Priyan, as he is often called, always complained about how top Bollywood stars never worked with him. Salman is the first among the Khan trio to do a film with him.

Priyan's other release Garam Masala had to wait for four long years before his Hera Pheri star Akshay Kumar could give him dates.

"Priyan wanted me in Garam Masala but I just could not give him dates. But he was willing to wait. He felt that I would play my life's [best] role," said Akshay recently.

Apparently, Akshay three-times three airhostesses in the movie, and most of his time is dedicated to ensure that he does not get caught.

John Abraham plays a spoilsport who always tries to upset Akshay's plan.

"The film is a feel-good cinema and Akshay and John are at their best," says Ratan Jain, producer of Garam Masala.

"For the past one and half months, we have been thirsting for big films. First, the Shradh period started; then it was Navratri; then Ramzan and then school exams. The advantage the Diwali releases have is that they enjoy a five-day weekend, thanks to holidays for Diwali, Eid and then Basi Eid. Each producer has released 500 prints for their films and they will laugh all the way to the bank," says Adarsh.

"Besides, there is no major release next week. The next release – Ek Khiladi Ek Haseena -- is on November 18, so these films have a long run."

__________________
I don't have an attitude problem. You have a perception problem.

If you can't see the bright side of life, polish the dull side.

Never argue with a fool. People might not know the difference.

When you're right, no one remembers. When you're wrong, no one forgets.

'Comedy has so many faces'
Subhash K Jha | November 01, 2005 18:21 IST


Shaadi No 1 is my farewell film," David Dhawan jolts you with his declaration. "After this, no more 'typical' comedies."

Shaadi No 1 is David's second release in six months, after the hit, Maine Pyaar Kyun Kiya. "I've returned to my patent entertainment genre. But I wouldn't like to go into it again. It's the last of my trademark entertainers. I had six stars to handle in Shaadi No 1, so it had to be a typical film. Not that there are many major stars besides Sanjay Dutt. But I had a great rapport with the cast. The new thing about this one is that I'm back with producer Vashu Bhagnani."

David denies any rift with Bhagnani. "In fact, he had asked me to direct Om Jai Jagadish, but I just didn't connect with the script. Vashu's passion for filmmaking remains undiminished. Other directors may have had problems with Vashu. Not me. If I did, why would I work with him for the fifth time when I have 15 producers at my doorstep? I dumped two producers to accommodate Shaadi No 1."

David seems to be well into Vashu-shastra. "He got me permission to shoot a song in France within two hours. A good producer is hard to come by. I hope for his sake Shaadi No 1 works. After seeing the film, he told me not to worry. Lekin worry to rahegi. I've been directing for two decades, and survived. Today, I'm competing with a whole new generation of filmmakers. That's because I'm not afraid of change. If you are not ready to move on, people will move you out. I'm ready to move on to a new level."

He continues, "And why just me? All those who are successfully making comedies will have to keep changing their style. There was time when comedies didn't work. Now, they work better than romantic films. Now, everyone is doing a David Dhawan film. I was honest to the task of generating laughter, to my gurus like Manmohan Desai. I tell Manji's son that I am the true inheritor of the Manmohan Desai school of filmmaking. My most memorable day was when he visited me on the sets of Eena Meena Deeka, and offered me a film. It was a dream come true. What I learnt from Manji before he died has stayed with me."

And now David Dhawan is planning a sequel of sorts of the Manmohan Desai classic Amar Akbar Anthony. "It will not be a sequel. More like a modern interpretation. It'll be how Manji would make it if he did it today. I've finalised the producer -- a very big name. It'll have to be a big cast. The script will have to be revamped. But Anthony Gonzalves will remain unchanged. You can't change that!"

He looks back on the Shaadi No 1 experience with satisfaction. "Sometimes, I wonder how I pull such things off! There are 12 characters in the film, and the three boys -- Fardeen Khan, Zayed Khan and Sharman Joshi -- are together all the time. They've lifted the film. Sanjay Dutt, who plays the big brother, is amazing. The film is fast paced."

He adds, "Getting the dates of the topnotch actors is becoming a problem. So the solution is to bring two-three heroes together. The audience gets a feast. Yeh bhi hai woh bahi hai; the collection of stars looks nice on the posters. Even earlier, Amitji always worked with two heroes. In Sholay, he had Dharmendra with him. Even today, only leading men like Shah Rukh Khan and Salman Khan have the one-hero clout."

Now David is on a Salman trip. "Salman is such a generous actor. Any newcomer who gets close to him finds a role in his film. If I was a newcomer, I'd want Salman for a friend. He helps without making a noise about it."

Priyadarshan's comedy Garam Masala is releasing with Shaadi No 1. "That film is also looking good. I want to see Garam Masala. I like the competition. It's very colourful. The multiplex theatres have made so much of a difference to the film business. Which one would I buy a ticket for? Garam Masala, of course. Because I don't have to pay to see my own film! I always stand at the door and watch my own films. I'm too tense to sit still. I stand at the door and evaluate people's reactions."

David is impatient to move on. "One thing is for sure. I'm changing my style of comedy after Shaadi No 1. Comedy has so many faces. I've just started exploring."

With his new venture, David hopes to 'take care' of Govinda's career. "He's a diamond that needs to be polished again. I know he'll be rocking from the first shot I take. I won't disappoint Govinda or our fans. His character will be very performance-oriented. The focus will be on Govinda and Salman's performances."

__________________
I don't have an attitude problem. You have a perception problem.

If you can't see the bright side of life, polish the dull side.

Never argue with a fool. People might not know the difference.

When you're right, no one remembers. When you're wrong, no one forgets.

Of the three Bollywood releases in the festive week of Diwali and Eid, Priyadarshan’s Garam Masala has taken the lead at the box-office abroad.

The response to Priyadarshan’s other film Kyon Ki hasn’t matched the expectations, while David Dhawan’s Shaadi No. 1 too hasn’t fared upto the mark.




Garam Masala has got an overwhelming response in the UK. Being screened at 37 theatres, the movie opened at 8th position in the UK charts, making £292,033 in its weekend run. This has been the best start any Bollywood movie has made in the UK, this year.

Kyon Ki ranks below GM in the UK charts. The movie debuted at 11th position and made £171,566 in its run at 55 theatres. The movie’s star-value ( Salman Khan and Kareena Kapoor ) is the reason why it is being screened at more theatres than Garam Masala.

Shaadi No. 1 is at the 14th position in the UK. The movie, screened at 33 theatres, has made a rather paltry sum of £95,086 in its weekend run. Even in the US, this David Dhawan slapstick has had a lackluster start.

In Australia, Garam Masala is shown on 5 screens while Shaadi No. 1 on 7. Yet, Garam Masala has made a much more decent collection (Australian $ 37,145) than Shaadi No. 1 (Australian $ 22,775)

Even in India, the Priyadarshan comedy has done much better than the David Dhawan one.

__________________
I don't have an attitude problem. You have a perception problem.

If you can't see the bright side of life, polish the dull side.

Never argue with a fool. People might not know the difference.

When you're right, no one remembers. When you're wrong, no one forgets.