Sonakshi Sinha Sings for the very 1st time in her career, for Hollywood Film Rio 2!!

Sonakshi has not only dubbed but also sung a few lines for the family entertainer releasing on 11^th April 2014!!

Yes, all you fans of the vivacious and gorgeous actress, get ready to see the stunner not only mesmerize the audiences with her funny lines in the film as Jewel, the memorable macaw (From the hit sequel RIO) but also show her singing talents too!

Sonakshi has sung a few lines in RIO 2 for an interesting party sequence and we hear she had a complete blast while dubbing for the film!

Quote, ' I enjoyed dubbing for Rio 2 because its such a fun film firstly, and secondly because I felt like Imran and I were perfect for the characters of Blu and Jewel! Theres a scene where Jewel is dancing and singing so they made me sing a few lines as well! It was such a new experience, I would have even loved to sing more but unfortunately I am only just a bathroom singer!'

Sonakshi Sinha and Imran Khan will feature as the lovable and memorable macaws Jewel and Blu respectively, for RIO 2 releasing on 11th April 2014!! The English version of the movie will see the voices of Anne Hathaway and Jesse Eisenberg again which will be dubbed in Hindi by Sonakshi Sinha and Imran Khan!

Though in the past B-town actors have lent their voices on a small scale, this is the first time such a huge Bollywood association has taken place for a Hollywood franchise.

Fox’s Rio 2 in 3D releasing on 11^th April 2014 releasing in English, Hindi, Tamil and Telegu which is one of the most anticipated Hollywood movie in India, is an adventure comedy set in the Brazilian city of Rio De Janeiro! The movie will feature the return of Blu, Jewel and their three kids who leave their domesticated life for a journey to Amazon rainforest!

THE AMAZING SPIDER-MAN 2 to release on May 1st

Indian audiences are in for a treat as this year’s most awaited blockbuster The Amazing Spider-Man 2 is all set to release on Thursday, May 1^st 2014 - a day earlier than scheduled. It will release in English, Hindi, Tamil and Telugu and in 2D, 3D and IMAX 3D.

Kercy Daruwala, Managing Director – Sony Pictures India commented, “The release date will take advantage of the fact that most states have a public holiday on May 1^st. As it is, The Amazing Spider-Man 2 releases during the opportune school and college vacation period which is ideal for our audience.”

The Spider-Man franchise has garnered a larger box office than any other Hollywood franchise in India. Back in 2012, The Amazing Spider-Man had the widest release of any other Hollywood film in the country and still holds the record for the biggest opening weekend at Rs. 34 cr. The franchise has grown release-on-release with the lifetime box office of The Amazing Spider-Man, which was at Rs. 90.1 cr, being over three times of what it was for the first Spider-Man film back in 2002.

Mr. Daruwala added, “Exciting marketing promotions are being planned for The Amazing Spider-Man 2, including one which celebrates his status as official ambassador of WWF’s Earth Hour on March 29^th.”

The most successful franchise in the history of Columbia Pictures, Spider-Man is embraced all over the world. The four Spider-Man films to date have taken in over $3.2 billion worldwide. Spider-Man is licensed to Sony by Marvel Entertainment.

ABOUT THE AMAZING SPIDER-MAN 2 ( www.facebook.com/spidermanmovieindia )

We’ve always known that Spider-Man’s most important battle has been within himself: the struggle between the ordinary obligations of Peter Parker and the extraordinary responsibilities of Spider-Man. But in The Amazing Spider-Man 2, Peter Parker finds that a greater conflict lies ahead.

It’s great to be Spider-Man (Andrew Garfield).  For Peter Parker, there’s no feeling quite like swinging between skyscrapers, embracing being the hero, and spending time with Gwen (Emma Stone).  But being Spider-Man comes at a price: only Spider-Man can protect his fellow New Yorkers from the formidable villains that threaten the city.  With the emergence of Electro (Jamie Foxx), Peter must confront a foe far more powerful than he. And as his old friend, Harry Osborn (Dane DeHaan), returns, Peter comes to realize that all of his enemies have one thing in common: OsCorp.

ABOUT SONY PICTURES INDIA ( www.sonypictures.in | www.twitter.com/sonypicsindia | www.facebook.com/sonypicturesofindia | www.youtube.com/sonypicturesindia | plus.google.com/+SonyPicturesIndia )

Sony Pictures India is the #1 Hollywood studio in India with four out of the top ten Hollywood films of all time in India including blockbusters like 2012, The Amazing Spider-Man, Spider-Man 3 and Skyfall.

About Sony PicturesSony Pictures Entertainment (SPE) is a subsidiary of Sony Entertainment Inc., a subsidiary of Tokyo-based Sony Corporation.  SPE's global operations encompass motion picture production, acquisition and distribution; television production, acquisition and distribution; television networks; digital content creation and distribution; operation of studio facilities; and development of new entertainment products, services and technologies.  For additional information, go to http://www.sonypictures.com.

ABOUT MARVEL ENTERTAINMENTMarvel Entertainment, LLC, a wholly-owned subsidiary of The Walt Disney Company, is one of the world's most prominent character-based entertainment companies, built on a proven library of more than 8,000 characters featured in a variety of media over seventy years.  Marvel utilizes its character franchises in entertainment, licensing and publishing, including licensing the Spider-Man universe to Sony Pictures. For more information visit marvel.com. ©MARVEL

"HORROR, however modern, should be Indian at heart", says director Shyam Ramsay.

Film maker Shyam Ramsay,  believes that the spurt of horror films based in cities are a sign of changing times, but the success lies in its execution of a story.

For decades, Indian horror film was often equated with purani havelis, chudails or possessions triggered in isolated places. Its only the in the past one decade that the horror elements have been brought to the city. Ram Gopal Verma”s Bhoot was one such film that changed the trend where the story of possession was set in a penthouse in Mumbai.

Do you feel the times are changing for horror films in India?

A. Yes, which is why we see a spurt of upcoming horror  films set in cities or carrying an urbane ring to it. For instance, Ragini MMS 2, darr @The Mall or even” Neighbours”, which I have directed.

The audience have seen enough of horror films based in havelis. So how do you engage then now?

A. Today it is the young that make up for a large segment of audience. They are exposed to all kinds of films, including horror flicks from the West, most of which are set in cities. When you set a story in a city, it’s a back drop that an audience instantly connects with. And the fact that these familiar places can breed horror intensifies the fear factor. The audience is able to collect and identify with the story unfolding before them. What Ragini MMS did is tell a story. A format made popular by The Blair Witch Project and Paranomial Activity series. This kind of a story telling not only turned out to be a novelty for the Indian audience, but also lend authencity to the horror experience.

Does that mean that a horror film set in a city works better than the ones set in a castle?

A. Not really. Backdrops are relevant only to a certain point. They are decided according to the script, which is why Vikram Bhatt”s 1920 set in a castle worked as well as Bhoot, which unfolds in a penthouse. After pioneering the trend of horror films in India, 32 in all, my next” Neighbours” is unlike any of our previous films. It is set in Mumbai city and introduces vampires as a source of horror. The heroine of the film, a horror buff finds that her neighbours are blood suckers and on a killing spree. But whatever the backdrop, what really matters in the end is the execution of the story. Besides today, there’s state of art technology (like special effects ) available to support in the making of a film, or even watching it with surround sound. I don’t have to use extensive make up or prosthetics in my horrors like I did in the past; it can all be achieved with the help of special effects.

 

Do you take inspirations from the west for your films?
A. Yes I do but taking inspirations from the west or experimenting with horror films, one must not forget to keep the soul of the film Indian. Because finally, its one element that draws our audience to connect with the films.” Go Goa Gone”, which was Indias first zombie flick, was a well made film, but it didn’t do too well because too western for our audience.

Besides, one should also remember that a western plot cannot be stretched for three hours, it then becomes a documentary.

Mahesh Bhatt Presented the live theatrical version of his classic film “ARTH”

Mahesh Bhatt, who has had a successful run with his past theatrical productions like, The Last Salute and Trial of Errors with Sandiip Kapur (promodome films) decided to adapt his bold film ARTH ,which was way ahead of its time, into a theatrical production. Theatrical Play, “ARTH-The Play” held at Sriram Center, Mandi House. Renowned Director Mahesh Bhatt himself was present and encouraged the artists.

The play was directed by Priyanka Pathak, a graduate in ‘Theater Design and Direction’ from National School of Drama (NSD). She has worked with eminent theater personalities from India and abroad. 

On the occasion Mahesh Bhatt said, “We all borrow from life” But not everybody achieves results quite as cauterizing”. And adding to which Producer Sandiip Kapur said, "When I began producing plays with Bhatt sahaab I did not know that this association could be so enriching"

Delhi-based actor Imran Zahid , who earlier essayed the role of Muntadar Al Zaidiin ‘The Last Salute’ and of journalist Rehan in ‘Trial of Errors’ played the lead role. Starring alongside him was Padmashree C.R., an NSD pass out who is currently working at Kingdom of Dreams as an Actress in its production Zangoora and Moon Moon Singh, who graduated from the National NSD in 2011 with a specialization in acting.

Shaadi Ke Side Effects Makes 2 Million plus Overseas In 5 Days!

Balaji Motion Pictures and Pritish Nandy Communications film ‘Shaadi Ke Side Effects’, which stars Farhan Akhtar and Vidya Balan, has created ripples not only at the Indian box office but also in the overseas market.

 A source said, “Shaadi Ke Side Effects has really done well in the overseas market and after crossing 2 million in just 5 days, it is predicted that the film will make much more in the coming few days!”

The trade source also added that the film has done better than Farhan Akhtar’s last film ‘Bhaag Milkha Bhaag’, the biopic on Indian athlete Milkha Singh, which was anyways a major blockbuster.

 Says Alpana Mishra, CEO at Balaji – We were very buoyant on the overseas performance of the film from word go as the content would resonate with the audience in North America etc. These numbers have more than justified our conviction! And its performing across the World not just in select pockets. We are extremely thrilled and are Overseas Partners Eros are equally delighted with this result. Looking for much more over the coming weekend and days ahead.

The film, which also starred Ram Kapoor, Vir Das and Purab Kohli, revolved around hilarious situations that arise post parenthood and  Chaudhary says that after watching the film, many of his married friends called him up to praise him for truthfully portraying marital life.

Apart from the story, the music of the film too contributed to the film’s success with songs like ‘Harry is not a bramhachari’ and ‘Vyah karke pachtaya’, which are being hailed as chart-busters.