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Showing posts with label Cannes 2009. Show all posts

Candid photo of Aishwarya Rai at Cannes

Wonder how this picture (seemingly taken from a ladies' room at Cannes) leaked on the internet. The photo shows Aishwarya Rai with Elizabeth Banks and Eva Longoria in what seems like a candid moment between the women. Ash is clearly in a playful mood showing off a lighter side of her personality to the camera guy.

We wish we saw more such pictures of the actress rather than the boring poses we often get to see. Thoda aur chalega, Mrs Jr B!

I didn't have time for partying: Karan Johar

Karan Johar is living out of a suitcase. Last week, he was in London, this week he's in Cannes and then it's back to London before jetting off to San Francisco next week.

The director-producer zipped in for a two-day visit to the Cannes festival as well as to walk the red carpet for the alcohol brand he endorses. He also met international distributors for his film, My Name Is Khan and for his other productions.

A source says, "Karan loves Belgian fashion designer Martin Margiela's outfits and scarves. On the red carpet, Karan wore one of the designer's creations. Talking about his Cannes experience, Karan says, "I didn't have any time to party or meet my friends in Cannes this year. I was to meet Abhishek and Ash but couldn't make it.

Apart from walking the red carpet for the brand, I had important meetings to attend with studio heads. This is my fourth year there and I observed a couple of things at Cannes maybe because of the global recession but things were a bit subdued there. Normally, the Croisette is extremely active and buzzing with people, but everything appeared much quieter this year."

On the positive front, Karan notes the gap between Hollywood and Bollywood getting lesser. "At studio levels, the bridge between India and the west is decreasing Indian films have become lot more acceptable. I envisage the two woods Bolly and Holly coming together in the near future. Internationally, people are more aware of our cinema than they were earlier.

I had people from France, Germany, Poland and other European states coming up to me and asking about Indian cinema. Things may be quieter on the film front in Cannes but the buzz regarding Indian and Indian cinema is louder this time around."

Karan definitely intends to capitalise on the growing appeal for Indian cinema in the international market for My Name Is Khan. "Though the domestic market is my priority, I do intend getting as many eyeballs as possible. MNIK has the right kind of blend of what we stand for. I am hoping to go beyond the diaspora with the film. The European and American markets are still untapped."

Karan's been so busy that he's not had time to shop. "Cannes is for shopping for films and not clothes. I don't buy computers or gadgets. I think I am techno challenged. The only thing that I have done is get myself on Facebook and got a BlackBerry."

Indian films get positive response in Cannes

With "Slumdog Millionaire" having made waves on the global scene, Indian movie themes and filmmakers are beginning to reap the benefits in the international sales and co-productions arena at the ongoing Cannes Film Market.

"'Slumdog' has opened a door for Indian cinema," says Hollywood producer Ashok Amritraj. "We have to put our foot in and capitalise on the opportunity."

The happy augury is that several Indian films have been picked up for global distribution by frontline sales agents and the going could only get better from here on if filmmakers from this part of the world, as Amritraj points out, can learn the rules of the game.

The Indian Film Company (TIFC) has made history by selling its "Road, Movie", written and directed by Dev Benegal, to Fortissimo Films, which is one of the world's leading sales agents with offices in Amsterdam, London, Paris, New York and Hong Kong.

"'Road, Movie' is an important milestone in our company's endeavour to support India's growth on the cinematic world stage," said Sandeep Bhargava, CEO of the advisory board of TIFC.

TIFC has also got leading British distribution company HanWay Films on board to handle Gurinder Chadha's "It's a Wonderful Afterlife", starring Golden Globe winner Sally Hawkins, Sendhil Ramamurthy, Jimi Mistry and Shabana Azmi.

Endeavour Independent has bought the distribution rights of Venus Records and Tapes' "Hisss", a Hindi-English film directed by Jennifer Lynch and starring Irrfan Khan and Mallika Sherawat.

Also playing for big global stakes is Ambika Hinduja's Serendipity Films. It is pitching the Leena Yadav-directed "Teen Patti" for widespread global sales in the Cannes Film Market. The film features Amitabh Bachchan, Ben Kingsley, R. Madhavan and Saira Mohan.

"We want to make cinema that will appeal to audiences in both India and around the world," Hinduja, whose previous production was Homi Adjania's wickedly quirky "Being Cyrus", told Variety in Cannes.

India's biggest entertainment sector player, Reliance Big Pictures, has brought a slew of arthouse films, besides Anurag Basu's Hrithik Roshan-Barbara Mori starrer "Kites", to the Cannes market. The response, company representatives say, has been hugely encouraging.

Big Pictures' offbeat regional line-up includes Buddhadeb Dasgupta's "Janala" (Bengali), Shaji N. Karun's "Kutty Srank" (Malayalam), Amol Palekar's "Samantar" (Marathi), M.S. Sathyu's "Ijjudu" (Kannada), and Rituparno Ghosh's "Abohomaan" and "Shob Charitra Kalponik" (both Bengali).

"We will be unveiling these films in various major festivals in the coming months," says Reliance Entertainment chairman Amit Khanna.

Hrithik, Barbara Mori get too cosy at Cannes

While it's chilly in Cannes, the lead pair of Kites 'keep each other warm'; the duo appears quite comfy with the 'closeness' they share

Hrithik Roshan and Barbara Mori seem to have thrown caution to the wind. The twosome were spotted dining in close comfort at the Croisette restaurant in Cannes after the Kites press conference.

Says a source, "Their chairs were too close for comfort. Considering that it is cold in Cannes, the duo seemed to be giving each other a lot of warmth."

Barbara and Hrithik also attended the India Party thrown by Vijay Mallya on a luxury yacht. Says a source, "Hand-in-hand, they looked pretty cosy, even as papa Roshan walked a discreet two steps behind."

It is learnt that Hrithik did not accompany his dad and Kites director Anurag Basu when they flew into Cannes. Hrithik left a day later and without biwi Sussanne. Barbara jetted into the festival from Mexico.

Hurman Baweja at Cannes!

Hurman Baweja will be seen at Cannes, but only on screen. The actor has shot for a short documentary on global warming, Echo of Eco, directed by critically acclaimed director Pan Nalin.

The movie will be showcased today and tomorrow for special invitees, which include a select group of celebrities and industry professionals at the Hotel Carlton's Ballroom in Cannes.

A source close to Pan reveals, "Nalin liked Baweja's performance in Victory and wanted him to be a part of the documentary.

The role was very demanding and challenging and he had several sittings with Hurman to explain the intensity of the role. Hurman was seen juggling his shoots for the filming of the documentary."

Hurman says, "I'm honoured to be a part of a film like this that's supported by the UN and has Pan Nalin directing it. At the same time, the film is very challenging. That's what prompted me to be a part of this film."

The documentary is a United Nations Patronage Project, where 30 filmmakers from different parts of the world are invited to volunteer to make 'Save Our Environment' films. Each short film will show in an artistic way their concerns and their message to save the planet. From India, Nalin was invited to join the league of international filmmakers.

Bollywood celebrities at Cannes 2009

Yeh kaun?
Arjun Rampal came to Cannes. But there was no red carpet entry or anything. In fact, no one even knew the actor was here. He slipped in town, stayed at Vikram Chatwal's luxury yacht, partied, and went back home.

Sporty formal!
The fashion police were ready to cuff Ashok Amritraj, who, incidentally, at a Cannes soiree was bonding with the director mentioned below.
Anyhow he had more grave issues to tackle the biggest being the unbranded keds with his suit and tie!! Ashok, the ball's no longer in your court, so what's with the shoes?
PLUS... Congratulations are in order for Amritraj's 100th film celebration at Cannes. We are assuming the lot incorporates the soft porn sagas created by Jag Mundra and the ilk.

Giving Manya some lip
Social bitches spotted Manisha Koirala at the India Pavilion and could not help but notice her unwaxed upper lip. Perhaps she didn't have the time to visit a beauty salon what with her hectic partying on Vikram Chatwal's yachtÃ¢Â€Â¦ it had all of six people on it. Including Manya and her friend and business partner Deepti Naval. They were literally floating. Like Kites.

Spotted
Karan Johar, thanks to a massive jet lag, bagging a quick snooze during the Ang Lee film. Thankfully, the reviews the next day justified the nap.

Also...
There were rumours that Ashutosh Gowariker was in Cannes. But strangely, there was no sign of him on the Croisette! Must check with Sajid Khan about his whereabouts.

Bad yaadein
Ageing directors suffering a semi-annual life crisis are not uncommon in B-Town. One such (married, of course) made a 'show' of himself at a Cannes soiree getting his derriere lovingly massaged by a buxom blonde who proclaimed to be a 'fund manager' from the UK. As the girlie did her job dutifully, the filmmakers stared into heaven sighing, "God bless you, God bless you." Time to become an atheist?

Barbara Mori snubs Aishwarya in Cannes

The controversies surrounding Aishwarya Rai Bachchan at the ongoing Cannes Film Festival don’t seem to end.

First it was Aishwarya and Sonam Kapoor who fought over walking the red carpet for cosmetic brand L’Oreal.

And now it is Mexican actress Barbara Mori, Hrithik co-star in “Kites”, who seems to have rubbed Ash the wrong way.

Aishwarya is in Cannes with hubby Abhishek to walk the red carpet for L’Oreal, while Barbara was there for the promotion of “Kites”.

All of them were put up in the same hotel, The Martinez.

When Ash learnt that Hrithik and Barbara are in the same hotel, she wanted to exchange pleasantries with them. She met Hrithik and had a chat with him and told him that she wanted to meet Barbara too.

But the meeting wasn’t the best thing to happen at the hotel.

When Ash met Barbara, the latter just said a casual hello and excused herself saying she had to go for an event.

Ash was left aghast with this snub, but could not do much.

Sensing that Barbara’s behavior would have hurt Ash, Hrithik stepped in and explained to Ash the reason for Barbara’s seemingly rude behaviour.

Aishwarya is an international face and definitely Barbra knew her so her behaviour could not have been because of not knowing Ash. So we wonder why Barbara acted the way she did?

Name gone wrong!

Aishwarya Rai and Abhishek Bachchan were the guests of honour at the Cinema Verite 2009 event at Cannes on Thursday. Ash was invited for her commitment to social and humanitarian issues as Cinema Verite highlights films dedicated to human rights.

But the organisers got her hubby's name all wrong. He became Avhishek Bachchan! Wonder how Avhi...oops Abhi reacted to this rechristening?

Manisha spotted at Cannes

After being out of the limelight for a long, long time, Bollywood starlet Manisha Koirala has been spotted at Cannes!

Oscar-nominated director Ashvin Kumar, who is now present at Cannes for the screening of his first feature film The Forest, met the actress at the post screening party of Bauli.

Ashvin’s parents, Shashi and Ritu Kumar were with him to catch up on the screening. Ashvin’s family walked the red carpet joined by Freida Pinto. Some of the outfits that graced Freida in the Oscar-winning movie, Slumdog Millionaire, are from the Ritu Kumar Label line.

The Cannes festival that began on 13 May this year had an extremely good start for our Indian director. The screening of Ashvin Kumar’s film The Forest had a phenomenal response, the film being already sold in seven territories, namely Malaysia, Singapore, Middle East, Vietnam, Thailand, Greece and Brazil. The second screening of the film was done on May 17, Sunday.

In Pics: Hrithik,Barbara Mori,Rakesh Roshan at 'Bright Star' Premiere at Cannes 2009

Ash didn't script Sonam's Cannes fiasco

There were rumours that actress and L'Oreal ambassador Aishwarya Rai may have held back Sonam Kapoor from walking the Cannes red carpet.

But sources close to the former beauty queen say she didn't even know that Sonam was to visit the French film festival.

"She (Aishwarya) did not even know that Sonam was going to be at Cannes because she was there for just two days (May 13-14) where her days were packed with back-to-back interactions with the international media, fashion shoots for various European fashion magazines and other business meetings besides attending all the events at the festival," a source close to Aishwarya told IANS.

"Anyone can go to the Cannes Film Festival as a visitor and that is how many in the film fraternity and normal public go from across the world."

Confusion ensued when L'Oreal issued a list of those ambassadors that were to represent the brand at the French festival and Sonam's name was missing from it. This, despite a formal announcement made by the company officials on Sonam's presence at the Cannes at a press conference in Mumbai on May 10.

Sonam, who was earlier set to leave for Cannes Monday and was excited to rub shoulders with Aishwarya and Hollywood A-listers like Elizabeth Banks and Eva Longoria, finally did not go for the film festival when company officials asked her to stay back.

According to media reports released thereafter, Aishwarya was not very upbeat about the fact that Sonam would share the same stage with her as the face of L'Oreal and asked company officials to deny her the opportunity of being there.

But clarifying their decision of holding back Sonam to go for Cannes, a spokesperson from L'Oreal said in a press release: "We do not want to take part in or encourage any controversy involving our spokespeople. There were adverse reports in certain sections of media after some comments by Sonam Kapoor, which were presented out of context.

"Following this, in order to avoid further escalation, we have advised Sonam not to go to Cannes as was planned earlier, bearing in mind that there would be more interesting opportunities for future appearances in Europe for her."

Aishwarya Rai Checks Out “Spring Fever”

Stepping out for Day 2 of the Cannes Film Festival, Aishwarya Rai was back out on the red carpet for “Spring Fever” on Thursday (May 14).

Accompanied by husband Abhishek Bachcha, the Bollywood beauty looked her usual elegant self as she posed for photographers before heading inside to check out the new drama starring Qin Hao and Wu Wei.

Meanwhile, Miss Rai and her hubby spent the earleir part of the day dressed a little more casually as they attended the Cinema Verite 2009 Press Conference.

Taking place at the luxurious Hotel Martinez, Aishwarya joined Queen Noor of Jordan in announcing the third edition of the International Tribunes Cinema Verite event to take place in Genevaand Paris in October 2009.

According to The Hindu, “Cinema Verite is a special film event dedicated to films and social actions that promote human rights and the eight Millennium Development Goals adopted by the United Nations.”