Bipasha now in Ravana!

Here is a latest entrant to the much-hyped movie of the year, ‘Ravana’. The Mani Ratnam’s movie has always maintained a hush-hush atmosphere within itself. And the director had roped in this dusky beauty a month ago, on a condition to keep up the secrecy about her involvement in the project.

Now, when the news is out, Bipasha Basu will be playing the character of Mandodhari, wife of Ravana. In the movie, Abhishek Bachchan will be playing Ravana, Priyamani as Ravan’s sister Surpanaka, Aishwarya Rai as Sita, Vikram as Ram and finally Govinda as Hanuman. The movie will only carry the nuances of the epic Ramayana.

Initially, Sushmita Sen was rumoured to be approached for Mandodhari’s role. But as the diva refused, the offer fell into Bips’s lap, who readily accepted it.

Here our modern-day Mandodhari will be doing a sizzling item number. But no, the lady will be doing more than that! Bips will have a full-fledge role of 40 mins sources say. Our sexy lady is now packing up her bags for a 20-day shoot scheduled in coming days this month. “Bipasha’s costumes are ready. She is very happy with her look in the film. She is looking forward to joining the unit of Ravana,” added the sources. Wow, now that’s someone to add-on for the movie. Looks like the movie is getting spicier and hotter by the days…

Courtesy: indiaglitz.com

What caused Mani seethe on Raavan sets?

Director Mani Ratnam is working with some of the best actors and actresses in the Indian film industry for his forthcoming flick Raavan. However, this does not mean that all is well on the sets. The buzz we hear is that Mani is quite upset with Govinda who plays an important role in the film. The reason is that Govinda skipped the shots for three days in a row. While the actor made himself available on time in the previous schedules, trouble started when the unit moved to Ooty to shoot a few shots. 


Courtesy: behindwoods.com

Mani gifts Govinda a song in Raavana

For over two decades now, Govinda had made for himself quiet a bad reputation in industry circles of being a late latif. He was known to always come late on his film sets citing the silliest of excuses. He had changed this habit while shooting for David Dhawan’s Partner but apparently, post the film’s success he came back to his old whimsical ways. But now it is learnt that for the shooting of his Mani Ratnam directed Raavana, Govinda has been not only coming to the film’s sets on time but is also being the first artist to reach the location.

A source reveals, “During the recently concluded schedule in Ooty (which didn’t have Abhishek Bachchan n Aish) Govinda used to be ready to go to the location as early as half past five in the morning. Apparently, Govinda’s such professionalism left Mani Ratnam so much impressed that he has now decided to add a special song which will be shot on him alone. Mani had earlier been cautioned by many industry insiders about Govinda’s fussy habits during shoots and that it would be a hara-kiri taking him on. But Govinda not only was always on time but also showed lot of willingness and gave suitable inputs to make his character in the film better.

The film is supposedly a modern day take of Ramayana with Abhishek playing the title role. Govinda’s role in the film is the character based on Hanuman in the sense that he aids Vikram (who plays Aishwarya’s hubby in the film) to reach Abhishek.

Raavan shoot halted after smoke effect makes forest officials see red

The shoot of Mani Ratnam's Raavan in an Ooty forest came to a smokin' halt, Monday night. Excessive use of the smoke effect (created artificially, without burning stuff up) drew the attention of forest officials in the area.

Stuck: Govinda and Mani Ratnam

A source reveals, "Mani was shooting an action sequence with Govinda. The scene required a heavily smoked-up effect. The shoot started at around 8 pm and was stopped within an hour when forest officers reached the location. The thick smoke-filled location had the officials seeing red.
The shoot came to an abrupt stop and everyone was instructed to pack up. Mani then spoke to the officials for over an hour and assured them that no harmful chemicals would be used."
The source continues, "The shoot began by 11 pm. Govinda, who ironically plays a forest officer was enacting his action sequences with action director Sham Kaushal. Earlier action director Peter Hein was on board, but since he has fractured himself, Sham was taken as a replacement. The shoot goes on till the wee hours in the morning. The cast and crew rest in the day and start work at night."
This is not the first time the unit has run into problems with the forest officials. Earlier, the Kerala Forest Division had asked the cast and crew to move out due to illegal construction in one of their forests. Govinda remained unavailable for comment.

Courtesy: mid-day.com

Mani makes more money!

India's best known director Mani Ratnam and his Madras Talkies has signed a record Rs 120 crore deal with the Anil Ambani run Reliance Entertainment Big Picture, for his new untitled film in three languages- Hindi, Tamil and Telugu.

Mani sir as he is affectionately known in Kollywood has been quietly working on the script of this film, since the release of his super hit Guru in January 2007.

The Hindi version will feature Abhishek Bachchan- Aishwarya Rai and Govinda in a negative role. The Tamil and Telugu version will have Vikram doing Abhishek’s role while Aishwarya Rai will be the common heroine for all the three versions. It is going to be a tight rope walk for her as she has to juggle her dates with Shankar's Rajinikanth extravaganza 'Robot', during the same period.

And the role being done by Govinda would be essayed by Pritviraj, who actually started his career in Tamil in a villain's role in Kana Kandein. There are rumours that Karthik who last worked with Mani in Agninakshthram, will also be roped in to play an important role. Priya Mani too will be playing a role in the film which will start rolling in Karaikudi from September 10, and will also be shot in the forests of Madhya Pradesh.

Mani's all time favourite and his 'discovery' A.R Rahman will be composing songs for this film which has now become one of the hottest projects in the country. Ace cameraman Manikandan who is now shooting for Priyadarsan's Biloo Barber in Pollachi will be the cameraman.

Mani sir as usual was unavailable for comment and Reliance Entertainment Big Picture spokesman in Chennai too refused to talk about the deal.

Courtesy: sify.com