Rituparno´s
´SBAG´ - Nandy Intervenes , John Back
It seems like John Abraham is back in
Rituparno Ghosh's remake of the Guru Dutt
classic , 'Sahib Biwi Aur Ghulam' . John and Rituparno
had a discussion last week in Bombay regarding Ghosh's
negative comments about John . After having cleared his
doubts , John has agreed to be a part of the movie once
again . According to sources , John was not happy about
Rituparno's comments about him not being "fit"
for 'Bhootnath's' character ( played by Guru Dutt in the
original) , as Ghosh was very keen on casting his favourite
Abhishek Bachchan . John walked out of the movie citing
" prior commitments" , but at the behest/intervention
of producer Pritish Nandy , agreed to talk it over with
Rituparno Ghosh .
While there are talks of Rituparno having apologised
to John for his comments, both he and John have denied
it . Rituparno on his part says , " I had just said
that I am more comfortable working with an actor (Abhishek)
, with whom I have worked before . It's the media that
has twisted my statement out of context . There is no
question of apologising to anyone ."
source: planetbollywood.com
CASTING OUCH!
http://epaperdaily.timesofindia.com/Daily/...597771859&BP=OK
Who will play Waheeda Rehman’s role in Pritish
Nandy’s Sahib Bibi Aur Ghulam, asks Subhash K Jha
It’s definitely on. Towards the yearend, shooting
commences for Rituparno Ghosh’s Sahib Bibi Aur Ghulam.
Priyanka Chopra, who has been pencilled in to play the
pivotal role, is ecstatic. “It’s a dream role.
I still pinch myself to believe I’m doing Sahib
Bibi Aur Ghulam, especially with Salman Khan, who’s
one of my favourite co-stars. I was heartbroken when I
lost Umrao Jaan. But now, I’m looking forward to
this. I’ve never done a period film before,”
says Priyanka. Adds Pritish Nandy, “Pritish Nandy
Communications has never done a period film before. It
will be our most ambitious and expensive project to date.
We’ve got Priyanka Chopra to play bibi, Salman Khan
to play sahib and John Abraham for ghulam . We’re
now looking at someone to play the second female protagonist
Jaba.” “It’s not a second lead. But
how do we explain this?” says Pritish Nandy. Ideally,
Pritish Nandy would’ve liked Kareena Kapoor to play
the whimsical Jaba. But after their opposing roles in
Abbas-Mustan’s Aitraaz, it’s unlikely that
Kareena would want to team up with Priyanka again, especially
since Priyanka has the author-backed role. So, the possible
contenders for Jaba would be: Amrita Rao: Pretty, wholesome,
impish and wild, yet conservative. Amrita could swing
Jaba quite effectively. She has the classic features to
go with it. But would audiences accept the Ishq Vishq
gal in such a nostalgia-steeped role? Vidya Balan: Done
a Bengali Saratchandra classic Parineeta. Has a touch
of Waheeda Rehman’s dignity and grace to her personality
and dances well. But known as too much of a Vidhu Vinod
Chopra protégée. Soha Ali Khan: Mamma Sharmila
Tagore’s classic features, plus an old-world grace
(she prefers wearing saris to premieres) could tilt the
scale in Soha’s favour for Jaba. And if brother
Saif has a Parineeta, surely Soha could have a Sahib Bibi
Aur Ghulam to her credit. Tabu: Slightly out of bounds
for Jaba age-wise. But who said the character was ever
meant to be a sweet sixteen? Tabu with her grace and intensity
is the only true successor to Waheeda Rehman. Only problem…
Priyanka would’ve to run for cover. Kajol: A natural
scenestealer… close your eyes, and you can see Kajol
singing Bhanwra bada nadaan hai in Guru Dutt’s Sahib
Bibi Aur Ghulam. She’s the only actor with the guts
to take on a role that’s not author-backed.
John walks out
Kunal M Shah
Touble in paradise? The cast for Pritish Nandy's new
film to be directed by Rituparno Ghosh, Sahib Biwi Aur
Ghulam, had been finalised for all purposes. John Abraham
was to play Bhootnath, Priyanka Chopra Choti Bahu, and
Salman Khan Chote Sarkar. Now comes news that Abraham
has decided to opt out of the film altogether. And so
begins the hunt for a new Bhootnath, the role immortalised
by Guru Dutt in the original Sahib Biwi Aur Ghulam.
John Abraham says, “Dates for this film have been
an issue right from the start. The dates for Sahib…
are clashing with Shriram Raghavan's film to be produced
by Gaurang Doshi. Shriram's film is my biggest priority
at the moment.”
However, insiders opine that his walking out of the project
had to do with director Rituparno Ghosh's disinterest
in casting Abraham as Bhootnath in the first place. John
evades questions about this issue, “I was told that
the role was an interesting one in principle. We had never
spoken about the dates and money.”
But when we contacted Ghosh for his version of the story,
he said, “I am clueless about this latest development.
John was not my choice. PNC (Pritish Nandy Corporation)
had roped him in for the film. I would rather reserve
comment.”
Does this imply Ghosh is disinterested in working with
John even in the future? “I don't see John as Bhootnath.
But it would always be interesting to work with him. With
this latest change, I think I have lost the opportunity
to work with him,” he added.
Pritish Nandy has a different story to tell altogether.
“We had never discussed the dates with John. After
finalising Salman and Priyanka, we were in the initial
stages of discussion with John for the character of Bhootnath.
We are still at the discussion stage,” he said.
Nandy further commented on the problems involved in finalising
the dates for such a big film. “We are yet to finalise
the final schedule. We also still have to cast someone
for the role Waheeda Rehman played in the original.”
The new Sahib...
Salman Khan will play the character of Chote Sarkar which
was played by Rahman in the original. Priyanka Chopra
will play the character of Choti Bahu (Meena Kumari's
role). Saif Ali Khan was earlier considered for the role
of Bhootnath.
* I don't see John as Bhootnath. But it would always
be interesting to work with him. With this latest change,
I think I have lost the opportunity to work with him
– Ghosh
* After finalising Salman and Priyanka, we were in the
initial stages of discussion with John
– Nandy
* The dates for Sahib… are clashing with Shriram
Raghavan's film to be produced by Gaurang Doshi
– John
The casting coup!
22nd Aug 2005 21.39 IST
By Aparajita Ghosh
The star-cast of Pritish Nandy Communications’
movie Sahib Biwi Aur Ghulam has almost been finalized.
This remake of Guru Dutt’s 1962 original movie
(directed by Abrar Alvi) has been making news for quite
some time. Firstly, Toronto-based filmmaker Deepa Mehta
was approached to direct the movie. But she opted out
of the project and Bengali director Rituparno Ghosh was
roped in as the director.
Then, Aishwarya Rai was approached to play the role of
Chhoti Malkin (played by Meena Kumari in the original).
However, date problems prevented Ash to be a part of this
project.
Actor Sanjay Dutt was also supposed to play Chhoti Malkin’s
errant husband in the movie. But it was Salman Khan who
expressed strong interest in playing the character. He
was subsequently signed for the part.
And now a clearer picture of who will play which role
has emerged.
If latest reports are to be believed, Priyanka Chopra
will play the role of Chhoti Malkin and Salman will play
her husband.
Either one of Vidya Balan or Esha Deol would play the
role of Jaba, played by veteran Waheeda Rahman in the
1962 movie.
And to play the role of Bhootnath (played by Guru Dutt
in the original) talks are on with none other than the
dashing dude John Abraham .
The makers of the film have also indicated that Sanjay
Dutt too will be a part of the project. However, he will
not essay any of the principal characters.
Shooting for the movie is likely to begin by this year-end.
Kareena doesn't want to work with me
Rituparno Ghosh speaks about his casting plans for the
remake of Sahib Biwi Aur Ghulam
Subhash K Jha
While rumours and speculation surround the casting for
the prestigious new production of Sahib Biwi Aur Ghulam
for Pritish Nandy Productions, Rituparno Ghosh is busy
preparing his Antar Mahal for the Sundance film festival.
“We haven't really decided the cast,” reveals
Rituparno. The news is that Ghosh is to direct Priyanka
Chopra, Salman Khan, John Abraham and a second principal
lead in the roles of choti bahu, her pleasure-loving husband,
their man-Friday Bhootnath and Bhootnath's fiancée
Jaba.
But Ghosh isn't too happy with the casting. He is especially
opposed to the casting of John. “Though I really
like the work John is doing these days and would love
to work with him, I don't see him as Bhootnath at all.
The character is supposed to be callow, innocent, vulnerable
and a complete stranger to sexuality. Does John strike
you as being any of these? Besides, with Salman already
in the cast, John would just be more beefcake in this
film. Both John and Salman belong to the same genre of
macho actors. The other lead of Bhootnath has to be understated
not macho. It's the only way Sahib Biwi Aur Ghulam will
work. I'd rather cast Vivek Oberoi as Bhootnath, though
I can't see how he will work with Salman.”
As for the vivacious Jaba, Rituparno admits Vidya Balan
and Esha Deol are being considered. “But I'd go
with Vidya. She fits the role much more than Esha. Esha
is an actress worth watching, but not for this project.”
However, for the central role of Choti Bahu, Rituparno
has expressed no reservations about Priyanka Chopra. “Originally
I saw Kareena Kapoor in the role. In fact she was my first
choice for Raincoat as well. But Kareena doesn't want
to work with me. She refuses to take my calls or answer
my messages. Maybe some day I'll be worthy of her attention.”
So, is Rituparno set to do his own sensitive take on Bimal
Mitra's novel? “It's a scary thought, to go into
an area already beautifully created by Guru Dutt, with
such accomplished performances. Can Priyanka match up
to Meena Kumari's pathos and sensuality? Can I ever dream
of matching up to Guru Dutt's sensitivity? We can only
try. The producer Pritish Nandy is very keen, so am I.”
Incidentally this was the same Nandy film that Deepa
Mehta was to direct with Aishwarya Rai and Vivek Oberoi.
Salman to play Priyanka's pati
Mid-Day
By: Upala KBR
August 20, 2005
Pritish Nandy Communications has finalised the star cast
for Saheb Bibi Aur Ghulam, to be directed by Rituparno
Ghosh.
While Priyanka Chopra plays chhoti malkin (Meena Kumari’s
role in the 1962 original, directed by Abrar Alvi), Salman
Khan will play Rehman’s role of her husband, chhote
babu, while John Abraham will play Guru Dutt’s character
of Bhootnath.
John or Saif?
Says Pritish Nandy, “We have almost finalised John,
but will take a final call soon.” It is said that
Saif Ali Khan was also approached for the part, but is
in two minds about doing a historical again, so soon after
Parineeta.
John is very interested in the part. Says Rangita Nandy,
creative director, PNC, “He will add a certain twist
and charm to the character.”
Salman wanted it bad
Wasn’t Sanjay Dutt the original choice for the
role of chhote babu? “Yes,” says Rangita,
“talks were on, but Salman wanted to do this role.
Naturally Sanju, who is very close to us, will be a part
of the film.”
Aishwarya Rai was supposed to play chhoti bahu, but date
problems prevented her from doing the role, which went
to Priyanka.
Who will play Jaba?
Says a PNC source, “The role of Jaba (Waheeda Rehman
in the original) is yet to be decided.
There are three contenders for the role – Vidya
Balan, Kareena Kapoor and Esha Deol. Kareena seems to
have some date problems so we might have to choose between
Esha and Vidya.”
Deepa Mehta, who was to direct earlier, opted out and
was replaced by Rituparno Ghosh. “He will be coming
next week to finalise the project,” says Rangita.
Saheb Bibi Aur Ghulam is set to roll in 2005-end.
upala@mid-day.com
Who is Bhootnath?
Bhootnath (Guru Dutt in the original), a village simpleton,
finds a job at the Mohini sindoor factory as a clerk.
he soon strikes a warm relationship with Jaba, the factory
owner’s daughter (played by Waheeda Rehman).
Chhoti bahu (Meena Kumari) reads that wearing Mohini
sindoor will bring her errant husband back. She asks Bhootnath
to get her some sindoor. The story builds up their relationship
to a tragic, stunning climax.
