RNBDJ Buzz

One of the most awaited releases of the year, RAB NE BANA DI JODI (RNBDJ), which marks the return to direction of the scion of the Chopra family, Aditya Chopra, is progressing briskly. As we had broken the news, earlier this month, the latest addition to the film’s cast is Vinay Pathak, and he has confirmed the news officially.

Unlike the popular perception, the reason as to why it took eight years for Aditya Chopra to return to direction is very simple. The DILWALE DULHANIA LE JAYENGE and MOHABBATEIN director was busy in production work and had assigned the job of direction to different directors, several of them new. He also completed the setting up of the formidable state-of-the-art Yash Raj Studio.

Coming to the Shah Rukh Khan-Anushka Sharma starrer, RNBDJ, unlike Aditya’s previous directorial ventures, as mentioned above, this one is going to be a quickie and if things go according to plans, RAB NE BANA DI JODI will release before the year 2008 ends.

Also, says grapevine…

That there may be one more hero for SRK’s Rab Ne Bana Di Jodi.

Off late, a certain section of the media in New Delhi has been buzzing with wild rumours that Anant Narayan is all set to make his silver screen debut with Aditya Chopra’s much-talked about directorial next Rab Ne Bana Di Jodi that is slated for a Dec 12th release later this year. It is also being speculated that the illustrious filmmaker will launch two newcomers in his Shahrukh Khan magnum opus.

While Aditya Chopra has officially announced that 19-year old model from Bangalore Anushka Sharma will star opposite superstar Shahrukh Khan in this interesting love saga, the rumours doing the rounds suggested otherwise. The grapevine suggests that Rab Ne Bana Di Jodi is actually not a pure and simple love story but a love triangle in which Anant essays the part of the third lead and Anushka’s love interest in the film.

Inundated with calls and messages since the last few days, Anant has been battling some rather inane queries from random people.

“My phone hasn’t stopped ringing for the past few days. I’ve been receiving calls from all kinds of people congratulating me on my big break with the Yash Raj banner. My inbox has been flooded with some messages congratulating me on my ‘dream role’ in Rab Ne Bana Di Jodi, while some requesting me to send my pictures across. One even demanded my autograph! It has all been pretty bizarre!” says the 21-year old celebrity journalist.

And that’s not all.

“There are all kinds of other rumours doing the rounds too. I allegedly met up with Mr. Aditya Chopra and pleaded him to give me a break in his film. He then took my screen test following which I was finalized for his film. I find it all extremely amusing because the truth is that I’m not starring in Rab Ne Bana Di Jodi. I haven’t even met or spoken to Aditya Chopra, forget about approaching him to give me a break. There is no doubt that I have received some interesting film offers, but I haven’t said yes to any as yet. And even if I have, I’m not allowed to talk about them at this point”, Anant sets the record straight.

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SRK’s Many Looks In RNBJ

On day one of filming we spotted King Khan with light brown highlight in his hair and we wondered what it was for. Now we know. Shah Rukh Khan will be seen in numerous looks in Aditya Chopra’s Rab Ne Bana Di Jodi. From a serious looking to a geek to a romantic lover, SRK will be seen in various get ups.

“Shah Rukh has already shot for in two of the get ups. There is one scene where he plays a geek and his hair is all plastered down. He also sports a small moustache a la Charlie Chaplin with half pants and everything,” says a source from the set, “Similarly for another look his clothes are all flashy and over the top. Then in another look he plays the NRI who is visiting India.”

Rab Ne Bana Di Jodi is one of the most awaited films from the Yash Raj banner and every part of the film is being kept tightly under wraps.

Khan recently began filming for Rab Ne Bana Di Jodi. The film will also mark the debut of Bangalore based model Anushka Sharma. It will be shot in Mumbai at Film City with certain parts being filmed in Punjab.

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SRK Refusing to Pay Tribute to Big B

The cold war between Amitabh Bachchan and ShahRukh Khan is now giving director Aditya Chopra a massive headache.

According to the rumour mill, Aditya has penned an 11 minute song for the forthcoming ShahRukh Khan starrer Rab Ne Bana Di Jodi that has been sung by Sonu Nigam. The song is a retrospective look at top Bollywood actors since 1950, showcasing some of their most memorable numbers. In the film, ShahRukh Khan will mimic the greats of Bollywood and this song would be one of the highlights of the film.

Initially, Raj Kapoor, Dev Anand. Shammi Kapoor, Rajesh Khanna and Amitabh Bachchan were to be given the tribute. However, ShahRukh Khan refused to dance to Amitabh Bachchan’s songs and wasn’t willing to be part of a tribute to the great Big B. He felt that it would bring unnecessary media hype and would not benefit the film. Aditya then went back to the drawing board and removed the Amitabh Bachchan segments, replacing them with Rishi Kapoor.

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SRK Pays Tribute to 5 Bollywood Heroes

Aditya Chopra is leaving no stone unturned to make his ambitious film Shah Rukh Khan-starrer, Rab ne Bana Di Jodi a grand success.

Aditya Chopra has recorded an 11-minute song in the film for one important sequence in the film that will have Sonu Niggaam paying tribute to five yesteryear stars.

Our source says, “Aditya Chopra has recorded an 11-minute song in the film which show cases the style of five different generations in one single song.

The song tracks the journey from 1950s to the 90’s to the present era and will be picturised on Shah Rukh Khan.

Adi had reached a dead end with the song where he had to scrap it when he thought of Sonu.

The specialty of the song is a tribute that SRK gives to stalwarts like Raj Kapoor, Dev Anand, Shammi Kapoor, Rajesh Khanna and Rishi Kapoor.

But music composers Salim-Suleiman and Jaideep Saini were asked to compose the song which would have the first line of the most famous numbers with their romantic icons and these involves songs sung by singers ranging from Mukesh, Rafi, Kishore to Jolly Mukherjee. Spanning the ’50s to the ’90s.

The voice had to encompass the spirit of the old and the new equally, and Sonu was the only option.

Apparently Sonu who was travelling extensively obliged thrice to rehearse and work on the song and then finally sang in less than 45 minutes.

Sonu Niggaam remained unavailable for comment.

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RNBJ Set Destroyed

Aditya Chopra who is back to the director’s seat after eight long years had to go through a heavy loss before the completion of his movie Rab Ne Bana Di Jodi .

Chopra commenced shooting from May 16 at Filmcity. A huge set was constructed in film city where Chopra was shooting with Shah Rukh and his new actress recently. Unfortunately the set has been destroyed due to the heavy rains.

It is believed that Rs 4 crores was spent to build the set. When contacted YFR spokesperson Monika confirms, “Yes it’s true that the set which was erected for RNBDJ has been destroyed due to heavy rains. They started shooting on May 16 and finished that shooting schedule long back so the destruction of the set does not matter. They have finished the schedule in film city and they are now shooting in Yash Raj studio.”

Setbacks and losses are not new for big films. Tragedy is a constant companion in the film production business. It can be recalled that Sanjay Leela Bhansali was shooting in Film City when the sets at the studio caught fire and the total gear of the movie was destroyed.

RNBDJ is Shah Rukh’s third film with Aditya Chopra after Dilwale Dulhaniya Le Jayenge and Mohabbatein and film buffs would like to see the magic being recreated on celluloid.

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Rab Ne Bana Di Jodi Filming Starts

Shah Rukh Khan and Aditya Chopra have started the shooting of Rab ne Bana Di Jodi. The film will remind audiences of the magic touch that has made “Dilwale Dulhania Le Jayenge” the longest running motion picture in Indian cinema history.

Rab ne Bana Di Jodi is the New Bollywood Hindi Movie from Yash Raj Films. It would be the third Directorial Venture of the Super Hit Director, Producer and one of the most Powerful person in Bollywood today, Aditya Chopra.

Aditya Chopra makes a come back to the director’s seat after 8 long years.

“Starting the first day of shooting still gives me goose bumps,” Shah Rukh said. “And to make films with Yash Raj, that too when Adi is directing, is an experience that is more than 100 percent exciting. Yash Raj Films is, and will always be, home for me and who doesn’t love coming home? Yashji and Adi have always given me roles that have gotten me love and appreciation from fans all over the world. And this time Adi has again written a character for me to play that I think will become as beloved as Raj of DDLJ was.”

During these 8 years of recluse from the Director’s cap, Aditya Chopra has successfully managed to build a Yash Raj Realm in Bollywood with numerous super hits every year and his camp growing into one of the biggest production houses in the country. Rab ne Bana Di Jodi Bollywood Hindi movie stars the Biggest Star of Bollywood, Shahrukh Khan, in the lead role. As announced by Yash Raj Films ” Rab ne Bana Di Jodi will remind audiences (if anyone has forgotten) of the magic touch that has made Dilwale Dulhania Le Jayenge the longest running motion picture in Indian cinema history”.

Rab de Bana di Jodi marks the return of Aditya Chopra, Shahrukh Khan super Bollywood hit pair which created history with movies like Dilwale Dulhaniya Lejayenge and Mohabbatein. Dilwale Dulhaniya Lejayenge or DDLJ as it usually called, continues it record breaking 13th year run in theatres. Aditya Chopra plans to cast a new girl opposite Shahrukh Khan in Rab ne Bana di Jodi.

The music of the Rab ne Bana di Jodi would be composed by Salim-Sulaiman, rather than the ever-green hit pair of Jatin Lalit. It is rumoured that they have been offered this humongous task for their hit tracks of Chak de India which is also a Yash Raj Production Movie. Yash Raj Films are know for their mind blowing music hindi tracks which manage to top the charts for every movie!

The film will be produced by Yash Chopra, and would be written and directed by Aditya Chopra himself. Shooting for the film would commence in May 2008 and it would release by the end of 2008.

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SRK’s Heroine Revealed!

Yash Raj Films’ movie Rab Ne Bana Di Jodi starring Shah Rukh Khan, which is being directed by Aditya Chopra, will have a fresh face opposite Khan.

YRF chairperson Yash Chopra announced that the 19-year-old model Anushka Sharma from Bangalore has been identified to play the female lead opposite Khan in Aditya Chopra’s third film as director Rab Ne Bana Di Jodi.

Said Chopra, “We were looking first and foremost for someone who could truly embody the spirit of small town Punjab and we know we have found her in Anushka. Although she has no previous acting experience, we have seen that unique spark in her that makes us confident that she will be a standout even opposite Shah Rukh.”

Rab Ne Bana Di Jodi will go on the floors on the 16 May and will hit theatres worldwide on the 12 December.

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The Search for SRK’s Heroine

Aditya Chopra has shortlisted three girls for Rab Ne Bana Di Jodi — and none of them knows the others exist! What’s even more odd is that lead actor Shah Rukh Khan, too, doesn’t know who his co-star will be.

Shah Rukh says, “I’m only an actor and do not interfere as far as casting is concerned. Adi has told me that they have selected three girls. He wanted me to choose one but I am not comfortable with that. I have left it to Adi.”

Rab Ne Bana Di Jodi marks Aditya’s return as a director after eight years.

On schedule

A source from the production house (Yash Raj) reveals, “The film has to go on the floors by May 15 to be able to make it to the release date (December 12). Adi has finalised three newcomers who have been put up in different hotels.

They arrive at Yash Raj Studios twice a week at different timings and Adi shoots scenes with them. This has been going on for over two weeks and he is expected to take a call by the month-end.”

As reported (‘Shah Rukh finds his Simran’; HiTLIST, March 24), one of the girls selected is called Simran and is from Amritsar.

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Simran is SRK’a Next Heroine!

 

The hunt for the lead girl opposite Shah Rukh Khan in Aditya Chopra’s Rab Ne Bana Di Jodi is over.

Sources reveal the girl is not Sonam Kapoor as reported by a section of the media, but a newcomer from Amritsar. We are told that Shah Rukh and Adi held scores of auditions for the role before finalising the girl.

A source from the project leaked details about who the girl is. “Her name is Simran and she’s currently staying at a hotel in Juhu. She doesn’t have any acting background and was chosen solely on the basis of her looks and the screen test.”

Giving details about Simran the source adds, “The script for the film is fresh and even though it’s a love story it has an interesting twist in the climax. Adi was toying with the idea of working with an established actress, but it was Shah Rukh’s suggestion that they go with a newcomer.

Simran impressed Adi with her innocence and that was important for the character. Even though she’s new to the industry, Simran wasn’t star struck when she met SRK for the first time.”

After she was finalised, both SRK and Adi joked how she shared her name with Kajol’s character in Dilwale Dulhaniya Le Jayenge, “Simran told Adi how she had watched DDLJ several times and never thought she would act with SRK one day.”

It is learnt that Adi is taking all precautions to keep Simran under wraps until she starts shooting.

“She’s put up in the hotel with her folks and Adi keeps having meetings with her. He’s given her the script for rehearsal and is also working on her dialect and grooming.”

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Sonam Kapoor to be Shah Rukh’s Heroine

 

It’s final now. Sonam Kapoor will star opposite Shah Rukh Khan in Aditya’s Chopra’s Rab Ne Bana Di Jodi. There has been a lot of speculation about casting for this role. Extensive talent hunts were organised by Yashraj Films to scout for just the right girl with the authentic Punjabi look who will play a 16-year-old in the film. Hundreds of authentic Punjabi kudis participated in the auditions held in Punjab. Aditya Chopra himself went through the shortlist, but found no one suitable. Back home in Mumbai, Yashraj receives bio-datas by the dozen every week…

However, it turns out that the girl they needed was right under their nose all the time. Our very own Sonam Kapoor of Sanjay Bhansali’s Saawariya fame.

Our sources say, “Aditya Chopra was very keen to have a tall, fair Punjabi girl for the role opposite Shah Rukh Khan. He has himself written the script and knows exactly what he wants in his heroine. The film deals with the love story of a 40-year-old man and a 16-year-old girl. Adi was also very finicky about signing the right girl because he was making his comeback to direction after a gap of eight years and wanted to get everything just so.”

After all his talent hunts led to a dead end, Adi spoke to Anil Kapoor, who was more than glad to have Sonam get into the Yashraj camp, that too directed by none other that Adi himself. There have been several meetings and Sonam is now on board.

When contacted, Anil Kapoor refused to comment.

Production of the film, that will be shot extensively in Greece, Australia and Dubai, will start in June – July for release on December of 2008.

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