New Sholay - Ram Gopal Varma

Nobody belly dances better than the original ‘item’ girl, Helen.

The dancer and actress sizzled in the 1960s and 1970s in films like Don, Howrah Bridge, Teersi Manzil and Caravan.

She wriggled her hips in the Mehbooba Mehbooba song from the classic Sholay, distracting the dreaded bandit Gabbar Singh and the audience as well.

Now, Mallika Sherawat takes on the original in Himesh Reshammiya’s upcoming film, Aap Ka Surroor.

Looking lovely in green, the outspoken actress sways and shakes her hips to Reshammiya’s rendition of Mehbooba.

in Ram gopal verma ke sholy urmila also doing Dance on Mehbooba mehbooba .

But hips don’t lie.

So, who is the better mover and shaker? Is it Helen, the original Mehbooba girl, or Mallika, the oomph girl?

Laughing loudly at the rumours that she has been getting progressively superstitious and religious to salvage her career Nisha Kothari says, “No, I’m not adding extra ‘a’ and ‘k’s to my name. Nor am I visiting a dozen deities for my welll-being. My parents and I just visited one temple.

In any case I’m not unanswerable to anyone except my family. What I do with my life is entirely my business….”

Crying foul against charges of misconduct on the sets of Aditya Dutta’s Good Luck Nisha Kothari gets progressively angry. “I’ve never in my life abused anyone. Stories of my bad behaviour on the sets of Good Luck are growing. And now I no longer find these rumours funny.”

According to stories doing the rounds, Nisha threw her weight around and had to be sacked from Good Luck.

She’s a bit lost on this ome. “How can that be? I’ve never shot for any film called Good Luck! I’ve met the director just once at Keshu Ramsay’s office, and that too for half an hour. I couldn’t give them the dates that they wanted.

I’m supposed to have thrown tantrums and abused my colleagues and I was supposed to be careless with my work… I said no to Good Luck and maybe some people didn’t like that. I had no choice. I was committed to a Telugu film. And I didn’t want to wriggle out of it.”

She asserts she hasn’t shot for a single day for Good Luck. “And yet this is the third story on my misbehaviour. How can they talk like this? I’d rather concentrate on my work. But now this has become a bit too much. Just because I didn’t shoot for them should they spread rumours about me?”

Losing the frown she talks about her role as Basanti in Ramu’s Sholay. “I just finished dubbing my role. I have seen Hemaji in the earlier Sholay But my character Ghungroo is not Basanti. We dress speak and behave differently.

Ghungroo is not dumb. She behaves like a man. But she’s all woman inside. She’s a bundle of contradictions. She behaves like a Tapori. But is all woman from inside. Sometimes she’s so stubborn, then she’s soft. There’re so many different emotions to express in one character.

I’m lucky to have got such a role so early in my career. And to work with so many huge actors in one film, wow! Many of them,I’ve been watching from the time I was a child?”

Including Ajay Devgan? Nisha quickly catches on. “I don’t know how much older he is. But Ajay is one of my favourite actors.”

Nisha has just completed a Telugu film. “It’s called Okkamagaru with Balakrishnan who’s very hot in Andhra. I had stared my career with a Tamil film Jai Jai with Madhavan. Now I’ve done a Telugu film.

I don’t care about the language of a film, as long as it is a good film with a meaty role for me. I’d rather work in a regional film than sit at home waiting for Hindi films.”

Ajay Devgan’s comments on Sholay:

You’re playing Veeru’s character in Ram Gopal Verma’s remake of Sholay. What should the audience expect from it?

Sholay has shaped up very well and I’m also waiting for its release. The audience cannot think about the earlier film because the whole concept of this film is different. The setting is urban, the humour is urban and the attitudes too. When you change the situation of the film everything changes. So I don’t think there can be any comparison .

Sholay happens to be one of the most remade films in Bollywood with five versions of the film in existence. LT finds out what makes the film so ‘remakable’.

It’s the Mecca of every enthusiastic film buff. It’s Neverland found many times over. It’s Ramesh Sippy’s Ramgarh , the place where Sholay and history were born! And even three decades after its release, the film continues to enamour audiences and filmmakers the world over. Why else would there be no less than five remakes of the same film? Sholay has the distinction of being among the most remade films in Bollywood. LT finds out what makes this Salim-Javed creation such a rocking number.

Kitney remakes the… ?

Five, sarkar! From Ramgarh ke Sholay, directed by Ajit Diwani, which was a spoof on the original and released in 1991, to Ram Gopal Varma ke Sholay which is still under production, filmmakers have been constantly interpreting the film from their own perspective. There is also a Bhojpuri version of the film produced by tele czarina Ekta Kapoor, titled Gabbar Singh which stars Ravi Kishan. The film is currently under production with a budget of a whopping Rs 3 crores - the highest ever for a Bhojpuri film. Then there is Malwa ke Sholay directed by Shalindra Sen, a comic take on the film where Basanti weds the evil Gabbar. If this is enough to make you say ‘bahut yaraana lagta hai’ there’s also a Remake of Sholay by the students of the Media Technology Centre, IIT-Kanpur . We’re still counting…

Mujhe Sholay chahiye - remade

There seem to be enough people saying that to make it a phenomenon. But why Sholay? “I think Sholay was the perfect Bollywood masala mix. As Veeru says: ‘Is kahani mein action hai, emotion hai, tragedy hai’ . There was a great chemistry, incredible hard work, back-breaking stress, courage, vision, ambition and so a classic was made,” offers Anupama Chopra, film critic and author of Sholay - The Making of a Classic .
And actor Ravi Kishan who admits he’s enjoying every bit of his role in Gabbar Singh echoes Chopra’s sentiments when he says, “Sholay has all the entertainment an audience is looking for. It’s a film for the masses - total three hours of masala and dhamaal!”

Sholay then is that phenomenon which hit the Indian silver screen and became an instant success. Remarks trade analyst Komal Nahata, “Firstly, Sholay is such a huge hit, why wouldn’t people want to remake it? Besides, with a bit of upgradation and a contemporary feel, it can easily be today’s story.”

And no, you aren’t the only one to claim that you know “all its dialogues by heart” . Arun, a student at the University of Maryland, USA and member of a group which is promoting the use of Sanskrit, translated the ‘Kitne aadmi the… ‘ scene from the film into Sanskrit to make into a skit. He puts things in perspective: “We chose this scene from Sholay because it is one of the, if not the most, remembered scenes in Indian cinema and people will be able to relate to the dialogues - many people knew them by heart - in Sanskrit also.”

Jo remake ban gaya, samjho hit ho gaya?

There’s no way of ensuring that, but the ‘91 remake of the film was quite popular. Nevertheless, Kishore Anand Bhanushali who featured in Ramgarh ke Sholay cannot help but comment, “The film was such a huge hit that people would want to cash in on its popularity, but I don’t think its remakes can ever be as popular as the original. Amjad Khan as Gabbar was what made it a hit, how far Amitji will be acceptable in the role is open to speculation. There are bound to be comparisons.”

Adds Chopra, “For a generation - those who grew up on Sholay and for whom it will always be the perfect film - there can never be another Sholay.” While Chopra is keen to find out “what Ram Gopal Varma does with his and our favourite film” , Nahata is more brutal in his dismissal of these remakes, “Never. It’s not everyday that one can make and plan a hit like that.”

Remade Sholays - hits or misses? Wonder if Jai and Veeru would toss for this one?

Katrina’s comments on Sholay when asked about it by a reporter:

Have you had a fall-out with Ram Gopal Varma? He dropped you from his version of ‘Sholay’ and you not doing ‘Sarkar 2’ either…
No. in fact, Ramu is one of my very good friends and we have stayed in touch after ‘Sarkar’. We are beyond petty things. ‘Sarkar 2’ was always meant to be with the Bachchans.

As for his version of ‘Sholay’, I could not do it because of dates problem; He was actually supposed to start the film earlier but it got delayed due to many reasons.

Sex kitten Mallika Sherawat will do the raunchy jig dressed in revealing clothes for a song in Himesh Reshammiya’s debut film as an actor.

It is no secret that Mallika plays a negative character in Himesh’s forthcoming movie Aap Ka Suroor . The film has Himesh Reshammiya pairing with gorgeous Hansika Motwani . Mallika plays a manipulative siren who does everything in her power to seduce Himesh and create a misunderstanding between him and his lover (Hansika).

The highlight of the movie will be the cult song “Mehbooba Mehbooba” that will have Mallika doing a cabaret act like Helen in Ramesh Sippy’s movie Sholay .

The song will be shot in a very stylish way. The initial portion of the song will show Mallika dancing against the backdrop of tents (like Helen’s song). For this portion, designer Ashley Rebello has designed a gypsy skirt (with frills) and a tiny, colorful blouse for Mallika.

The latter portion of the song will be shot in a lavish set-up depicting the interiors of a casino. For this portion, Rebello is designing a translucent black gown for Mallika.

The film’s director Prashant Chadha is leaving no stone unturned to make sure that Mallika’s ‘Mehbooba’ song turns out to be a crowd-pulling number.

Choreographer Saroj Khan has been signed in to choreograph Mallika’s dance steps. For the initial portions of the song Saroj Khan will make Mallika dance to Helen-like steps. Later, in the casino sequence, Mallika will do cabaret dance.

Make-up man Mickey Contractor will give Mallika a sensuous look with smoky eyes and shiny skin.

The song, sung by Reshammiya, has the same melody as R D Burman’s original composition. DJ Akbar Sami has done the remixing.

Himesh Reshammiya says the audience will go in ruptures to see the skimpily dressed Mallika dance to “Mehbooba Mehbooba” in ‘Aap Ka Suroor’.

Well, only time will tell that.

There are rumours that you have gone bankrupt?

I never had the money to go bankrupt. I think the rumours started after my break-up with K Sera Sera. Because of all this transition, I wasn’t able to maintain creative control over my productions. My funda of doing business is simple. I earn enough to put it in another film.

Have you gone creatively bankrupt then? All recent Factory products bombed.

Our films are pretty high on the concept level. Maybe we faltered in executing them, or took on too much. But it’s an ongoing process.

Is it true that Ajay Devgan has problem with the script?

This is media’s creation. Ajay is quite happy to play Veeru.

Why remake Sholay?

Sholay is like a beautiful woman. can’t do much, other than change her clothes. It is my tribute to that great film.

Isn’t it narcissistic to call the film Ram Gopal Varma Ke Sholay? What do you say?

That way I get to take the entire blame on myself. Your relationship with most of your discoveries, actors and directors, is short lived… Maybe they get more money outside or maybe they feel they no longer require my guidance or interference. It’s ok, I can survive without anyone.

The rapport between actor Manoj Bajpai and his erstwhile mentor Ram Gopal Varma allegedly evaporated when the actor wanted to play Veeru - rather than Samba - in the latter’s ambitious remake of “Sholay”.

In Ramesh Sippy’s “Sholay”, Veeru was originally played by Dharmendra and MacMohan essayed the role of ace villain Gabbar Singh’s sidekick Samba.

Asked about Manoj’s demand for change of character, Varma said: “I wouldn’t like to comment on whether Manoj wanted to play Veeru or not. All I’ll say is, actors are meant to play characters. I’d never over-cast for any actor’s sake.”

“Anyway, I wouldn’t like to go into the details about our meeting. I feel it was a confidential private interface between two people. Anyone who has leaked out the details has no idea of ethics or principles,” Varma told.

“My final word on Manoj - I had decided not to work with him. I gave it a chance, but it didn’t work out. Now my decision to not work with him is final. As I’ve said, Amitabh as Gabbar is the only casting in ‘Sholay’ that’s indispensable. Manoj and I cannot see eye to eye, ever. I wish him all the best.”

The day after his meeting with Manoj, Varma signed Sushant Singh for Samba’s role.

“When I met Sushant for Samba’s role, I suddenly realised how stupid I was to not think of him for the role. We’ve worked in ‘Satya’, ‘Kaun’ and ‘Jungle’ but not afterwards. He’s immensely talented,” the director said.

Varma says he has expanded on the character since it was last seen in Sippy’s film.

“When Samba was written, I doubt anyone thought it would acquire such popularity over the years in spite of the role being so small. In my ‘Sholay’, Samba has a lot more to do because my ‘Sholay’ is relocated in Mumbai. Samba will be Gabbar’s operative arm in Mumbai.

“I remember there were moments in (the original) ‘Sholay’ where we got a glimpse of the bonding between Gabbar and Samba. I intend to build on their friendship. There are so many aspects to ‘Sholay’ that can be examined and expanded on,” he added.

Varma goes on to compare “Sholay” to the Ramayana epic.

“In it’s retelling over and over again, the characters have acquired a certain legendary status. I want to give my own interpretation, like Francis Coppola’s take on Dracula. He took a blood-sucking vampire and interpreted it in an all-new way.

“However, my challenge is to be as close to the original ‘Sholay’ as possible while interpreting it in my own way. There was a structural difference between my ‘Sarkar’ and the original source material, ‘The Godfather’. In ‘Sholay’, my intention is different,” Varma said.

“I want to see how an encounter cop taking revenge for the massacre of his family would react in 2006. There isn’t a single thing from ‘Sholay’ that I want to take away. My Gabbar would be an international gangster keeping track of international terrorism. He will have an opinion on global politics, for example, on what mistakes the US made while attacking Iraq.

“It’s like this. The original ‘Sholay’ has a woman in a ghagra choli (skirt-blouse). I want to change her clothes and make her walk the ramp. They’re both equally beautiful,” he added.

He lives in the eye of the storm.

Ram Gopal Varma is used to kicking up controversy but that’s never stopped him from making films with daring subjects. Here’s what he talked about:

And speaking about originality, lets get to the topic that everyone originally started reading this interview to get to — Sholay.

It’s a great story. It’s about an encounter cop, with his family killed by a gangster. He wants revenge but he can’t get it from the police force, and so he gets two small time criminals to take care of his vendetta. It’s set in Mumbai, now.

And is it treated in the same genre as the old film?

I’ve been very true to the spirit of Sholay. It is an adaptation but I have always found the story very dark and so this is a very, very dark film. And it’s all about striking the balance. I just want people to walk in thinking about the old classic and then hopefully my film will make them see it afresh.

Another Amitabh adaptation that didn’t do too well was Don. What did you think of that one?

I liked the idea of parts of that film, on paper. I liked the idea of SRK in that genre, playing an action hero/villain instead of continuing with the candyfloss romances. I didn’t like the film.

After Shiva, how badly do reviews affect you?

You must never take it personally. I feel the whole world is running on bitchiness. And that includes you and me. If I want to read a review today, I won’t go and click on the review that says ‘great film,’ I’ll find the reviewer who’s hated the film. And I’ll enjoy reading that no-star review because the reviewer is sarcastic and mean and kills the film.

I understand that logic, and so why should that rule not apply to my films? I read the reviews, but never take them personally.

Even with something as scathing as Shiva? And aren’t you worried about Sholay?

I think the best thing that could happen to Sholay was Shiva being such a bomb.

I think the critics just exhausted every negative they could use for that movie, and they have nothing left. I think for Sholay they will just hire the underworld to kill me, instead of wasting words.

On Friday the film will release, on Sunday the papers will say ‘Ram Gopal Varma found dead.’ (Laughs)

Sex kitten Mallika Sherawat will do the raunchy jig dressed in revealing clothes for a song in Himesh Reshammiya’s debut film as an actor.

It is no secret that Mallika plays a negative character in Himesh’s forthcoming movie Aap Ka Suroor . The film has Himesh Reshammiya pairing with gorgeous Hansika Motwani . Mallika plays a manipulative siren who does everything in her power to seduce Himesh and create a misunderstanding between him and his lover (Hansika).

The highlight of the movie will be the cult song “Mehbooba Mehbooba” that will have Mallika doing a cabaret act like Helen in Ramesh Sippy’s movie Sholay .

The song will be shot in a very stylish way. The initial portion of the song will show Mallika dancing against the backdrop of tents (like Helen’s song). For this portion, designer Ashley Rebello has designed a gypsy skirt (with frills) and a tiny, colorful blouse for Mallika.

The latter portion of the song will be shot in a lavish set-up depicting the interiors of a casino. For this portion, Rebello is designing a translucent black gown for Mallika.

The film’s director Prashant Chadha is leaving no stone unturned to make sure that Mallika’s ‘Mehbooba’ song turns out to be a crowd-pulling number.

Choreographer Saroj Khan has been signed in to choreograph Mallika’s dance steps. For the initial portions of the song Saroj Khan will make Mallika dance to Helen-like steps. Later, in the casino sequence, Mallika will do cabaret dance.

Make-up man Mickey Contractor will give Mallika a sensuous look with smoky eyes and shiny skin.

The song, sung by Reshammiya, has the same melody as R D Burman’s original composition. DJ Akbar Sami has done the remixing.

Himesh Reshammiya says the audience will go in ruptures to see the skimpily dressed Mallika dance to “Mehbooba Mehbooba” in ‘Aap Ka Suroor’.

Well, only time will tell that