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´Salaam-E-Ishq´ - Father Salim Khan wanted Sohail´s Track Edited Out

It can now be told . The length of 'Salaam-E-Ishq' had always been a concern for it's makers . Around the time its first copy was to be out , the producers showed it to Salim Khan ( of salim-Javed fame) to take an objective opinion . The veteran writer was frank enough to say that if anything could be deleted , it was his younger son Sohail Khan's entire track because , according to him ,it was not connected with other tracks in the film. However , since Sohail Khan and Isha Kopikar's scenes provided comic relief in the film ,the makers did not delete them . Anyway , that apart , one needs to admire Salim Khan because it requires a great deal of objectivity to be able to say that the scenes of one's own son need to be deleted to improve the pace of a film .

Salaam-e-Ishq: A Tribute To It's Foreign Actors

Steven Baker, Bollywood Trade News Network
1 year, 2 months, and 3 days in the making, Nikhil Advani's Salaam-e-Ishq finally hit cinema screens on 25 January. A successful promotional campaign, a muti-starer cast, and that Ishq-Ishq-Ishq Salaam-e-Ishq title song; have generated an incredible buzz around this movie.

After gaining international acclaim with Kal Ho Na Ho, Advani has a lot to live up to; both in India and overseas. Six foreigners, who were connected to the film making process, reveal the hype, and some insider scoop, from the long shooting schedule. 6 different lives. 6 different worlds. 1 common film. Salaam-e-Ishq.

November 20 2005, saw the launch of Advani's sophomore film, at Karjat studio, Maharastra. On the first day of shooting Nikhil had assembled the mega stars Salman Khan, Priyanka Chopra, Anil Kapoor, Juhi Chawla. And the less well known Brad Clifford.

Brad Clifford, an American tourist, was plucked from a hotel in Mumbai, and cast as a waiter in the picturisation of the title track. Brad, from Oregon, looks back, 'When I first showed up to the set I was trying to memorise the title of the movie so that I could buy a copy when it came out. By the end of the shoot you couldn't have erased the title from my brain with a full team of hypnotists.'

Australian-travelling-India, Ben McCreery, tread a similar path to stardom as Brad. Initially cast as a waiter, after dropping a tray of drinks on his first day on the job; Ben decided to swap roles. For those paying attention, one second Ben appears in a bow tie and black pants, then moments later he can be clearly spotted as a dancing party guest. Happy in his new avatar, McCreery reflects, "it was a very enjoyable experience, and something I'd like to do again'.

December 2005. Nikhil and crew are in Film City, Mumbai to shoot the remixed Babuji. Established star Anil Kapoor is present, as is newcomer Anjani Sukhani and newercomer Manuel Laynez. On a set designed as a London dance studio, budding Spanish star Manuel essayed the role of a smitten dance student. Manuel observed Anjali's (Sukhani) wooing of SEI's Vinay Malhotrata (Kapoor) through this seductive track, and despite her item girl-esque dancing; the modest covering up of her revealing outfit as soon as the director shouted 'Cut'.

January 2006. Swapping Mumbai for Rishikesh, the camera tracks blonde foreigner Shannon Esra, as she exits from a taxi into a narrow street next to the Ganges. South African Shannon, the latest Bollywood import, had an audience of hundreds on this outdoor location shoot. In this audience, Megan Nass, another blonde foreigner stands out amongst the locals. An avid fan of Hindi film, Nass was excited to be there. 'The crowd', she is informed by a local, 'is too, too big yaar. Bigger than when Rani Mukherjee and Abishek Bachchan were here shooting Bunty aur Babli.'

The excitement from the crowd reached a crescendo, when out stepped Govinda from behind the wheel of a black and yellow taxi. Despite a break from the film industry, this Hero No 1 still has a huge following. Not just with the aam aadmi, but, it would seem, with blonde firang girls too.

August 2006. Charlie Henniker, English undergraduate at Oxford University, is elated to wake up one morning to find a Bollywood film shooting outside his bedroom window. If that was not enough to get him out of bed, Priyanka Chopra was present in her dressing gown. In picturising the upbeat Tenu Leke track, Salman Khan's Rahul flirts with Priyanka's Kkamini; amongst a troupe of desi and gora dancers.

"The shoot brought colour and vibrancy to an already spectacular location, and it caused a real stir. There's a very significant NRI community amongst students at Oxford, and many of them were very excited" Charlie comments. "It's even been suggested that a shrine is put up to commemorate the filming", Henniker added.
December 2006. Charissa Glidden works full time as an actor in Hindi film. Born to American parents and brought up in the UK, Charissa's mid-atlantic accent places her in high demand as a voice over artist in her adopted city Mumbai. Charissa's voice has featured in the blockbusters Dhoom 2, Krrish and Fanaa. In Salaam-e-Ishq, Glidden's vocal contributions can be heard whenever there are foreign actors' lines to dub; whether that be a rockin' disco, an upscale restaurant, or a busy airport lounge.

Charissa does not normally go to see a film simply because she has worked on it. However this time is different. "I was at the front of the line for the first morning show", she smiles.

Like the episodic nature of the film, the stories of these foreigners stride across country and culture. Linking India to Spain, Australia to the US, Oxford to Oregon. 6 different lives. 6 different worlds. 1 common film. Salaam-e-Ishq.

Trade Talk

31st January 09.00 IST


Salaam-E-Ishq was panned by critics and declared flop by the trade almost straight away but collections so far tell a different story. The film was released on around 200 cinemas on 25th January and opened to 60% response at multiplexes with single screens being 30%. The film picked up on Friday to record 85%+ at multiplexes and 65% at single screens through the weekend with Friday and Sunday being best days. The collections fell to around 50% at multiplexes on Monday but this does happen quite frequently to collections at multiplexes so only time will tell that is this the crash that the trade expected or just a regular post weekend drop. Mumbai and Delhi/UP saw best collections over the weekend and territories like CP Berar and Bihar which have just one multiplex between them were the poorest.

Salaam-E-Ishq opens well in US

Arthur J Pais in New York

January 31, 2007 14:37 IST

Films, which have not done that well in India, seem to be doing good business overseas. Salaam-E-Ishq opened to a lukewarm response in India, but it has dethroned Guru over the weekend grossing nearly $1 million in 80 theaters across North America.

The movie, directed by Nikhil Advani, also surpassed the opening North American weekend gross of his first film, Kal Ho Naa Ho, starring Shah Rukh Khan, Saif Ali Khan and Preity Zinta. The tearjerker hit took $760,000 in November 2003 and was a bigger hit in the United Kingdom, given SRK's popularity there.

Salman Khan's Salaam-E-Ishq did not do as well in the United Kingdom, earning a decent but unspectacular $550,000 in 49 theatres, almost equalling the first weekend collections of Baabul, another Salman starrer, which was also a hit there.

The grand opening of Salaam-E-Ishq has pushed Guru down the box-office, earning about $200,000 in its third weekend. Though the film lost nearly 62 per cent of its box-office clout, it still took its cumulated gross to $1.8 million. It has a good chance of reaching the $2 million landmark In the United Kingdom, where the film has grossed nearly $850,000.

According to tracking agencies such as Box-Office Mojo, the multi-starrer earned $11,034 per screen while the Italian import Mafiosi, which was showing on just three theatres, led the per screen average with $11,117.

Per screen average, of course does not mean that either of these films would expand into thousands, let alone hundreds, of theaters. It is always possible for a film showing in a few theaters to have bigger average than the box-office hit of the week that is showing on more than 3000 screens.

For instance, last weekend's No 1 film Epic Movie, a comedy was made for about $20 million but had a weekend average of $6,600. However, it's weekend gross was $18 million which makes it quite possible for the movie to end its run with over $60 million.

Salaam-E-Ishq could also have a very profitable run, and could make about $2.5 million.

Critics cannot decide the fate of a film: Isha Koppikar

Rachana Dubey Mumbai, January 30, 2007

She’s the typical bindaas type. Yet, she can be cautious when it comes to thorny questions. Over to the always newsmaking Isha Koppikar:

What’s up with you?
I’ve been moving in and out of town for stage shows and events. I’ve also been busy shooting for Ram Gopal Varma’s Darling with Esha Deol and Fardeen Khan. Other than that, I’ve been listening to script narrations. I’m considering two projects. I’m quite upbeat about Shabari, which should release in May.

I believe you were in Bahrain.
No. I wasn’t really in Bahrain. That was a stopover. I was in Cairo. I’d been there for a corporate show. I performed on a stage right before the Sphinx and pyramids.

Salaam-e-Ishq hasn’t drawn very positively positive reviews.
I had a good role, different from what I’ve done so far. I enjoyed doing it but I’ve moved on. As for reviews, I’m not in their favour because I know there’s favouritism. Every reviewer is in one or the other way biased to a star or a director or a banner.

Sometimes negative reviews fetch you positive results. A bunch of critics cannot decide the fate of a film. It’s the audience. I don’t let reviews bog me down anyway. Heroines don’t have much to loose. It’s always the hero and the director who get the credit or the kicks.

Why did you choose to do a tiny part in Salaam-e-Ishq?
(Laughs) Please ask Nikhil Advani why he offered me something so brief. When you have six couples, 12 actors, someone has to settle for briefer screen time. Mine was the funniest track of them all.

Don’t you think you weren’t given as much as promised in Don?
I’m glad I was a part of the project. It was an out and out Shah Rukh Khan film. The women were there only to add the glam quotient. I think my character was well developed in Farhan Akhtar’s version, this wasn’t the case with the earlier Don. I looked great in the film. I was flooded with compliments. It’s history now. I’d rather look my future projects than crib about the past.

In retrospect, don’t you feel you lost your way?
I wouldn’t put it like that. I’ve only chosen the best of what was offered to me. No one offered me anything better than what I’ve done so far. Hello, I know what I’m doing. I’ll do every kind of role that pleases me.

I can’t make the world happy. I don’t live in la-la land. Whatever name and success I have is hard-earned, I don’t take it for granted. Even if I’m walking baby steps today, some day soon I’ll achieve the big leap.

How do you look back at your Khallas item number?
After Khallas, every actress has done item numbers. Every item song looks like Khallas to me. I’m often told that I was wasted in the film (Company). That indicates that critics and well wishers believe that I can do much more.

Do film industry guys make passes at you?
They do. There are all sorts of men here. But I’m a tough nut to crack. (Chuckles) Which woman doesn’t like attention and adulation. Every girl loves to be pampered.

If a man gets turned on by a woman’s body language or by the way she carries herself, then it’s the woman’s fault. She should be careful about the vibes she sends across.

Are you planning to marry Inder Kumar?
No way. (Blushes) Its great to be loved and to be in love with someone. But right now, I can’t afford marriage because I have a long way to go before I settle. Right now, my career is my focus.

Salaam-e-ishq: Desperate Measures

Faridoon Shahryar, IndiaGlitz [Tuesday, January 30, 2007]

Indiaglitz has been receiving press releases claiming that Nikhil Advani’s ‘Salaam-e-ishq’ has received a bumper opening of Rs 50 crore across 1200 screens worldwide.

The press release also claims that the film is a runaway success. Now, if a film has got off to a great start, such repeated press releases wouldn’t have been doing the rounds in such a desperate manner.

Alright, even if the mismatched ‘Salaam-e-ishq’ raked in huge numbers (Rs 50 crore is definitely a big exaggeration and we aren’t buying that) it wasn’t surprising considering the mammoth number of prints and no immediate rival big movie around the turntable.

But will it continue to rake in the big moolah? Highly unlikely! For the public has more-or-less rejected the movie. Fine, one can say that the critics were biased and none of them moved beyond two stars.

But even the ticket buying public is carrying long faces as they walk out of a marathon love tale with Sohail Khan’s ‘Huurrrrr’ as the sour cherry on a deflated cake of romance.

The worst part about Nikhil Advani’s direction is the irreverence he shows towards his mentor Karan Johar as an ‘opportunistic’ filmmaker. Moreover, he has been tom-tomming about the ‘script being the real hero’ then why couldn’t he have thought of something original.

What one gets is a rehash of ‘Love Actually’, ‘Raja Hindustani’, ‘Shall we Dance’ and more. Salman Khan in an extended guest appearance and an irritating Akshaye Khanna pulls down a film. Unconditionally.

I last heard a producer has signed Nikhil Advani for directing six films. Hmmmm…What advice would you give to him?

Nikhil Advani answers charges on Salaam-e-Ishq

By Subhash K. Jha, January 29, 2007 - 08:29 IST

Reports on your film have so far been mixed.

From within the industry? Yes. But audiences have reacted very positively. I've now cut twelve minutes. There were portions that seemed repetitive. I'm glad I had those previews. They gave me a chance to see people get restless in the middle of the second-half. I had removed the song Mera dil before release. Fortunately we released only 30 percent prints on Thursday. So the main release was on Friday with the cuts that I had made. I did want to release on the 25th. Whatever has happened happened for the best. If I had cut the film after its all-India release people would've presumed I'm not secure about the film.

Do you feel long films suffer?

I don't know…In my film my audience is completely there, right up to the marriage finale. They are rooting for each couple. In the shaadi climax I've treated the line Yeh shaadi nahin ho sakti as a joke. If you notice the music used for Akshaye Khanna and for Shanon are the same. That sequence is a satire. The audiences are getting the point.

There's the fear that episodic films don't work in India.

But Salaam-e-Ishq isn't episodic. The love stories are all woven together. All the six love stories happen together.

Why the pointed references to Karan Johar?

You tell me something. Which one filmmaker would an aspiring star want to work with? Karan is synonymous with Bollywood.

The Anil Kapoor-Juhi track is directly inspired by the Richard Gere-Jennifer Lopez film Shall We Dance?

Also American Beauty, and so many other films. Cinema must always seek its inspiration from what has come. And the Govinda track is inspired by Raja Hindustani and Dil Hai Ki Manta Nahin. My writers Sourabh Shukla, Suresh Nair and I thought about our favourite love stories while writing Salaam-e-Ishq. If you look at Govinda's track it's designed as a journey. The track Mera dil had so much of Rajasthan with Govinda and Shanon in it. A pity I deleted it.

Thanks to you Govinda is back in the race.

Thanks! People are questioning the quality of the script. I think it's a beautiful screenplay. That was the reason why all the stars wanted to be in my film.

Sohail Khan believes his scenes have been cut.

It was always meant to be five scenes. We shot six scenes and retained five of them. After Maine Pyar Kyun Kiya I realized he's a superb comedian. I just gave him the scenes and he improvised. He wasn't familiar with the Rajasthani accent. So I got my dialogue writer Sourabh Shukla to help him with his lines. And Sohail is a closet director. So he constantly kept asking me whether he should try this or the other thing. Like all efficient comic actors he loves to improvise. I feel vindicated. Sohail's story wasn't connected to the other love story. So when the film got lengthy everyone suggested I cut out Sohail. I refused. I knew people would start laughing the minute they saw his face. But the track closest to my heart is Juhi and Anil.

Like Anil have you been tempted to have an extra-marital affair?

Never in my life! My wife thinks no one would want to have an affair with me even if I wanted to. I love Anil's solo dance without a moustache...I've watched the film with a paying audience. They're happy with what they see. They say achcha hai par lambi hai.

Salaam-e-Ishq movie review

Director:Nikhil Advani

Starring:Salman Khan, Priyanka Chopra, Anil Kapoor, Juhi Chawla, Govinda, Akshaye Khanna, Ayesha Takia, Isha Koppikar, Sohail Khan, Anjana Sukhani,

Rate : 3

When you make a film for as long as 3 ½ hours you’re taking a huge risk on weather or not you will manage to hold on to your audience’s attention through out and mind you that by no means is a minor task. Although with six love stories squeezed into one film what can one expect? But having said that and at the risk of sounding a wee bit cold when a cinegoer spends 160 rupees on his ticket to watch a film in a multiplex not to mention the superbly over priced food items that one would need eventually, all he wants is naturally his entertainment value. That’s where Salaam-e-Ishq finds itself on a see saw that rises but only to drop again which further rises and so on…

The film revolves around six groups of people. Each of these couples is living their lives to the fullest unaware of the other’s existence but are brought together by destiny, fate and love. Anil Kapoor shares a perfect marriage with Juhi Chawla but the problem is that it’s a little too perfect for him which is why he looks outside for his much needed dose of thrills ‘n’ excitement. Govinda is a cabbie waiting for his gori chori to one fine day walk out the airport and walk into his life. Priyanka Chopra is an item girl desperate to make it big as a lead actor due to which she cooks up a false love story with a fictitious character called Rahul as a huge publicity stunt. Her world changes when her imaginary lover takes the form of life in Salman Khan as he breezes into her life claiming to be her so called lover. Akshaye Khanna is marriage phobic but nonetheless in love with Ayesha Takia who wants to get married which is how they end up having their fare share of differences. John Abraham and Vidya Balan are a happily married couple that go through turmoil when Balan meets with a fatal accident and partially loses her memory. Sohail Khan is like an eveready-supercharged battery who is just waiting to consummate his marriage to his newly wedded wife Isha Koppikar, but someway or the other is unable to achieve what now seems like a Herculean task for him.

When it comes to performances for obvious reasons there is literally a dozen full of talent we are talking about. Anil Kapoor as usual fits well into his character of a 40 year old attracted to a younger woman, but does a man as estinguished as himself dance like a juvenile at a discotheque only to gel in with the crowd? I would think not…and on the other side of the same story Juhi Chawla gives a superbly sensitive and mature performance just as usual as well. Anjana Sukhani playing the other woman in his life is perfectly cast as she has just the right amount of sensuality blended with sophistication. She’s one to watch out for and will definitely go places after this film. Akshaye Khanna is also brilliant with his commitment phobic act where as Takia is nice in what she has. John Abraham has somewhere started to look repetitive with his sad lover boy image but the scene between him and his father is where he actually touches your sensitive chord and makes you feel his pain. Full marks to him there where as Vidya Balan is sweet as usual. Govinda is funny with his taxi lingo but his story is unreal. Sohail Khan and Isha Koppikar are very obviously the funny element of the film and successfully manage to crack up the audience whenever they show up on screen. Salman Khan and Priyanka Chopra though are the biggest let down amongst the rest as Salman tries to be a little too stylized where as Priyanka is rather annoying at times.

One of the film’s biggest positives is its title soundtrack. The pied pipers infused with Indian chords and vocals sound simply magnificent making it one of the best fusions in music ever.

The direction surprisingly after a film like Kal Ho Na Ho is not quite up to the mark. There are a few scenes where Advani has done very well but then there are those where he hasn’t. For e.g. Sohail and Isha locked up in a car falling on the rooftop of a house landing straight in it is neither funny nor amusing. Not to mention the length of the film, which is clearly, it’s biggest drawback. But then he somewhat makes up a little.

The entire last half hour of climax is literally the best part of the film and somewhere makes you feel that ok maybe the dragging patches in between were worth sitting through as the end does some good damage control leaving a smile on your face.

On the whole the film is good in parts and not so good in a few. When it comes to business facts the box office will rake in lots of moolah due to it’s strong initial but from there on word to mouth publicity will affect it’s business which can be expected to be very mixed as some will like it and some wont. But all the same watching a super huge star cast in one film is definitely a plus point, which the film will cash in on. Being the biggest release of this year so far there is a lot in favour of Salaam-e-Ishq so if you’re looking for 6 times the usual amount of love and don’t mind the length then go ahead get yourself your ticket.

RS MOVIE REVIEW: SALAAM-E-ISHQ (2007)

Producer/s: Sunil Manchanda, Mukesh Talreja, Nikhil Advani
Director: Nikhil Advani
Music: Shankar-Ehsaan-Loy
Cast: Anil Kapoor, Salman Khan, Govinda, Akshaye Khanna, John Abraham, Sohail Khan, Juhi Chawla, Priyanka Chopra, Vidya Balan, Ayesha Takia, Shannon Esra, Anjani Sukhani, Isha Koppikar

A film with six stories, each having an effect with the other. Similar to Love Actually and Crash. All the stories are about relationships between a couple and all have meanings. Each expects to raise a subject and give a solution.

Aakhri Saans Tak (Till Death Do Us Apart)

Vinay (Anil Kapoor) and Seema (Juhi Chawla) are a happily married middle-aged couple with a couple of kids in tow. Theirs is the idealistic marriage that many desire. However, as with all good things, thorns afflict this beautiful bed of roses, and it takes a sacrifice or two to bring the family back together.

Vinay may have it all, the stunning wife, the fantastic job, and the loving children, but he becomes bored and desires more. Vinay meets Anjali (Anjana Sukhani) and in her he sees what he is missing. This extra-marital affair, as expected, causes problems in his marriage. But all is well if it ends well.

Anil Kapoor and Juhi Chawla are perfectly cast as the husband and wife, and even at a mature age as theirs, they have magical chemistry. Anil plays his part to the tether and is, at last in his career, showing that he is apt and ready for the character driven roles. Juhi Chawla’s performance as the mistreated wife is par excellence, and one wonders why this actress never achieved the stardom that she deserved during the peak of her career.  Anjana Sukhani as the mistress is another perfectly cast part; an impressive debut, for an actress who may be overshadowed, in a multi-starrer such as this.

Nikhil Advani has tried his best to direct a mature story such as this, but his efforts prove fruitless, and the end job is only watch-able because of the performances from the actors. The story itself has been done numerous times in Bollywood and therefore has nothing new to offer.

RS Rating: 5/10

Khwab Aakhir Khwab Hain (A Man Can Dream)

Raju (Govinda) is your normal run-of-the-mill taxi driver who dreams of meeting the girl of his dreams on his next fare; a guy who always has a smile on his face and for whom the weight of the world’s problems is not something to cry over. Stephanie (Shannon Esra) is a beautiful girl who comes to India in search of her boyfriend and soon-to-be husband. Raju and Stephanie meet and fall in love, but both keep this a secret from the other.
Govinda may have impressed in the comedy riot Bhagam Bhag, but it is here where he shines. Playing the role of a taxi driver is aptly suited for Chi-Chi, and he never once lets his guard down, with each scene a masterpiece of acting. Just like when a sportsman is given one final chance to show his skills, that is exactly what it feels like when you watch Govinda. The years of experience and the immense talent that this actor has, is finally brought to the forefront, and at last Govinda is back.

Shannon Esra plays of Govinda’s performance and does well. It isn’t easy for a foreign actress to come to India and act in, what to her is a foreign language film. But, she does brilliantly. Her physique and looks also help a lot.

Nikhil Advani is at his best here and his direction is 100%. Nikhil has managed to direct Govinda back into form, and at the same time, a foreign actress in a Hindi film. The film relies much on chit-chat scenes between the two protagonists and these are executed masterfully.

RS Rating: 9/10

Pyar Ka Imtihan (In Sickness And In Health)

Tehzeeb (Vidya Balan) and Ashutosh (John Abraham) have a marriage that has is fair share of problems. The main one being that they are of different religions; her a Muslim and him a Hindu. Theirs is a love that has no limits. They will go to any lengths to prove what each other means to them. A perfect marriage… but then disaster strikes.

Tehzeeb is involved in an accident and she loses her memory. She has no recollection of Ashutosh or their love. It is now up to Ashutosh to re-ignite the love in Tehzeeb’s heart and to achieve this he has to go to great lengths.

John Abraham is mis-cast as the loving husband and fails to instil reality into his role. His performance is bland, with the role requiring a much more matured actor, one which John is not. John tries to do his best but just fails in many scenes. The final scene redeems him to some extent, but the overall performance is below par.

Vidya Balan, in her third film, has been given one of the best roles one could wish for so early in their career. Her last two films have shown that she is not your ordinary run-of-the-mill actress, and one destined for huge stardom. A ten out of ten rating for Vidya once again.

Nikhil Advani is once again at full form in this part too, but his decision of using John Abraham for the main role, is a big mistake. Nikhil and Vidya are brilliant, but two goods can’t do undo one wrong.

RS Rating: 7/10

Ek Such Sau Jhoot (Whatever It Takes)

Kamini (Priyanka Chopra) is a Bollywood actress-wannabe. Right now she is taking whatever roles she can, and most of them are as item-girls. She is sick to death of these roles and dreams to be the next Meena Kumari. Her ambition is to star opposite Shah Rukh Khan in a Karan Johar romantic tragedy. Longing for more publicity, Kamini tells the media that she is in love; a lie that comes back to haunt her when a man named Rahul (Salman Khan) appears in her life.

One wonders as to what is the logic behind this story. It has no meaning, is poorly directed and acted, and ends up being a waste of celluloid space.

For Salman Khan, the new year has begun with a big fat zero. That zero is for his acting in this film. Out of all the stars in this film, Salman has been paid the most, money that has been wasted. But, it is not all his fault; he has been given a bad role to enact. The character of Rahul has no substance. He may be easy on the eye, but that is where it stops, after that there is nothing else.

This story is about Kamini, and therefore one would expect a good performance from the actress that plays that role. But that is not what happens here. Priyanka Chopra is, in plain terms, just rubbish. The actress seriously needs to look at the roles she is signing if she wants to do well in Bollywood.

I can’t believe that Nikhil Advani directed this part of the film. Everything about this story is un-appealing; the story, the acting, the casting, and the direction. Nothing works. This story was supposed to be the highlight of the film, but it is a low-light.

RS Rating: 2/10

Pyar Kahaan Hai? (Consummation)

Ramdayan (Sohail Khan) is married to Phoolwati (Isha Koppikar). The couple valiantly try to consummate their marriage but the forces of ‘nature’ have other ideas.

Not much scope is given to this story, as not much is required. The story is basically a comedy side-track that distorts the story. The scenes are of a comic essence but without the laughs. This story could have easily been edited out of the final film; it was not required at all.

Sohail Khan plays his part well and does a hundred times better than his brother Salman. A much underused actor in Bollywood who deserves meatier roles. Isha Koppikar is merely a bystander and not much can be written about her performance.

Nikhil Advani shows that he has a flare for directing comedies, and hopefully in the future, he will direct a full blown comedy.

RS Rating: 4/10

Hum Nahi Tere Doston Mein (Don’t Tie Me Down)

Shiven (Akshaye Khanna) is a flamboyant bachelor who is engaged to marry the gorgeous Gia (Ayesha Takia). 10 days before his marriage he breaks the engagement of. But, then he becomes to understand, his feelings for Gia.

A nice addition to the film and a story that has meaning to it; it may have been done before a million times, but here it is done better. There is nothing fresh in the tale, and we have a happy ending as expected, but it is still watch-able.

Akshaye Khanna is a fine actor, that only shines now and then, and here he does shine. His role is apt for him. He may not have the looks but his facial expressions help a lot. After Govinda, his is the next really well acted part. Ayesha Takia is suited well opposite Akshaye and both feed of each other; producing the best for us the viewers.

Nikhil is once again at his best in the director’s seat. With the story not having much screen time, it helps to sustain its good feel, and doesn’t become a bore.

RS Rating: 6/10


The music of the film is what makes the film more appeasing to the eye and the ear. The trio of Shankar-Ehsaan-Loy may not have a classic soundtrack here, but it is something to write about, and that will do. All the songs are picturised beautifully and can be viewed again and again.

The film has 12 actors and 6 different stories, hopefully one will appeal to your liking. The Govinda story is a must see and makes the movie worthwhile. It is hard to conclude the film and rate, therefore the individual ratings. Not a blockbuster at the Box Office, but a semi-hit at-least.

Salaam-e-ishq

Directed by: Nikhil Advani
Cast: Priyanka Chopra, Salman Khan, Anil Kapoor, Juhi Chawla, Govinda, John Abraham, Vidya Balan, Isha Koppikkar, Sohail Khan


Synopsis: It is a film about six love stories each with a problem common to all, Love. Jodi No.1: Rahul (Salman) - Kkamini (Priyanka) - Kkamini is an item girl who is desperate to bag a role in a Karan Johar film. She plans out a fake media scandal for the same. In comes Rahul from thin air and teaches her a lesson on what is important between love and fame.

Jodi No.2: Shiven (Akshaye) and Gia (Ayesha) are engaged to be married but the commitment phobic who would be Gia Ka Pia breaks off his engagement. But, ultimately realises what true love and commitment means.

Jodi No.3: Ashu (John) and Tehzeeb (Vidya) a happily married couple whose life takes an unexpected turn when Tehzeeb loses her memory partially in a train accident. But, Ashu doesn't lose hope and wins back his love against all odds.

Jodi No.4: Raju Taxiwala (Govinda) and Stephanie (Shanon) - She has come from USA in search of her Indian boyfriend who has ditched her to get married to a rich Indian girl of his parents' choice. Raju who has dreamt all his life of getting hitched to a firang gal instantly falls in love with her when he meets her. He helps her find her boyfriend but she realises his true love and the fake affection of her cheater lover.

Jodi No.5: Vinay (Anil) and Seema (Juhi) - After being married for 15 years, now with two kids, Vinay is sensing the lack of excitement in his marriage to his childhood sweetheart. He encounters a sensuous young gal Anjali, a dance teacher by profession who falls for him. But, he realises his mistake at the right time and doesn't take any wrong step.

Jodi No.6: Ramdayal (Sohail) and Phoolwati (Isha) - A newly married Haryanvi couple who is desperate all throughout the film to finally have their suhaag raat and go through broken bones, broken houses and broken cars and finally fulfill their dream when the end titles roll.

Acting: The best of the entire lot is Akshaye Khanna who is the scene stealer whenever he appears on screen and also the very basic reason you choose to stay till the end of this never ending marathon. In the over crowded climax he stands out. Salman Khan makes a mockery of his own self and appears unreal throughout. John Abraham pleasantly surprises by pitching in a good performance without being melodramatic. Govinda entertains and is a treat to watch. Sohail Khan irritates the most. Anil Kapoor looks expressionless most of the times but does well in the pre-climax scene with Priyanka Chopra. Vidya Balan is fine in an emotional role. Juhi is good but doesn't have much screen time. Priyanka Chopra shows perfectly how not to act in a film. Isha Koppikar has nothing much to do. Ayesha Takia reprises her role in Shaadi Se Pehle but is passable. Shanon Esra the South African actress playing a New Yorker is not bad. Anjana Sukhani playing the wannabe other woman in Anil Kapoor's life looks attractive but is handicapped in a half-baked characterisation.
indya.com rating: 3 out of 5

Direction: The biggest culprit of this criminal waste of 3 hours 36 mins is Nikhil Advani. The guy who gave us Kal Ho Na Ho has gone independent from his mentor Karan Johar but the hangover of his mentor's style looms large throughout the film, reflecting mainly in the love for the length of the film. He has not directed but misdirected this film one feels as one leaves the cinema hall.
Indya.com rating: 1 out of 5

Script: Nikhil Advani, Saurabh Shukla and Suresh Nair, three scriptwriters for a film that boasts of six love stories and yet the end result is as enjoyable as 3-day-old stale food. They have lifted the basic theme of a Hollywood hit Love Actually (2003) but have failed to capitalize on such a wonderful subject. The film that talks about love, love and only love... Lacks soul. Agreed some scenes like Anil Kapoor's meeting with Priyanka Chopra during the pre climax, Govinda and Shanon Esra lost in translation or Akshaye Khanna repenting his decision about breaking his engagement, have been very well penned but that one common thread which could bind all these and the entire film together is sorely missing. The film keeps jumping from one unbelievable situation to another absurd one with amazing consistency. The entire Sohail Khan track (the lust story among the love stories) can be edited out because it has no connection with the film right till the end.
indya.com rating: 1 out of 5

Music: Shankar, Ehsaan and Loy have given a good if not an exceptional score. It's the picturisation of few songs that lifts them above the ordinary. For instance, the Ya Rabba number, sung by Kailash Kher and shot on lovelorn couples in the film. The title track is good. Babuji Dheere Chalna (originally from Aar Paar) sung in a new version by Nihira Joshi is sensuously picturised on Anjana Sukhani. Tennu Leke Main Jaawanga is the mandatory Punjabi bhangra number and is shot on various locations in London city. Best number of the album is the Adnan Sami sung Dil Kya Kare which comes in the beginning of the film. The way all the characters of the film are introduced through this soft romantic number is very nice.

Salaam-E-Ishq: A Tribute to Love (2007)
i

Salaam-E-Ishq: A Tribute to Love
Critics Rating: (2.5/5)
Language: HINDI
Genre: Drama, Romance
Director: Nikhil Advani
Producer: Sunil Manchanda, Mukesh Talreja,Nikhil Advani
Cast: Salman Khan,Priyanka Chopra,Anil Kapoor, Juhi Chawla, Akshaye Khanna, Ayesha Takia,John Abraham, Vidya Balan, Govinda, Shannon Esra, Sohail Khan,Isha Koppikar, Aroon Bakshi,Anjana Sukhani
Music: Shankar-Ehsaan-Loy
Lyrics: Sameer
more...


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By Deep Ganatra

According to some numerologist, this movie won't do well because the movie title adds up to number 28 and it is not a good number. But my opinion would be different; the movie might not do good business because it had flaws. And even if the total number was 29, 30 or whatever, it wouldn't have saved the movie.

Okay, here is my take on the movie.

The movie is about 6 different couples, oops, 5 different couples, Sohail Khan and Ishaa Koppikkar were just for the sake of comedy.

Couple 1: Ashutosh (John Abraham) and Tehzeeb (Vidya Balan) are young married couple, madly in love with each other. But Tehzeeb looses her memory in a train accident.

Couple 2: Ramdayal (Sohail Khan) and Phoolwati (Ishaa Koppikar) are newly married couple where Ramdayal wants to spend more time with his wife but something goes wrong around him all the time and he does not get chance to be with his wife.

Couple 3: Shiven (Akshaye Khanna) and Gia (Ayesha Takia) are engaged and about to get married within few days. But Shiven is afraid to get married thinking he will loose all his freedom. He breaks the engagement with Gia.

Couple 4: Raju (Govinda) who is a taxi driver in Delhi and is waiting for his dream girl. Finally one day, he finds his dream girl in Stephanie (Shannon Esra) who visits Delhi in search of her boyfriend Rohit. Raju gets to know about it and helps her out to find her boyfriend. Now, we have a love triangle here. Raju loves Stephanie but she loves Rohit.

Couple 5: Kamini (Priyanka Chopra) who is an item girl in Bollywood but she dreams of staring in Karan Johar film. To break image of item girl, she decides to call a press conference and announces her relationship with Rahul (who is just a Virtual character with no existence). But while going to London, someone named Rahul (Salman Khan) (who calls himself as Rahooowl) lands up at the airport and pretends to be boyfriend of Kamini.

Couple 6: Vinay (Anil Kapoor) and Seema (Juhi Chawla) are happily married couple for last 15 years. But Vinay wants more excitement in his life and he gets infatuated towards a young girl, Anjali (Anjana Sukhani).

I really liked the concept of the movie but the director failed to fine tune the stories and ended up making a lengthy movie without any proper narration of the stories. Take example of the story of Ashutosh and Tehzeeb, in one scene they are showing Ashutosh crying for Tehzeeb and very next moment they move the story to some other character where the theme changes totally from serious to comedy. Some kind of balance between the stories would have really helped the movie.

I personally found, Ashutosh and Tehzeeb's (John-Vidya) story really good, then comes Shiven and Gia's (Akshay-Ayesha) story. Vinay and Seema's (Anil-Juhi) story takes third place, in fact their story was very much powerful and the director should have handled it well but he missed the track somewhere in between. Kamini and Rahul's (Salman-Priyanka) story did not click well, it was full of illogical things, and it looked more like an artificial story. Same applies for Raju and Stephanie (Govinda-Shannon).

I think I should sum up the things now.

Story: 6 different stories with good concept but bad narration of the stories affected the movie most.

Music: Top class, very sweet music. I personally liked all the songs. Dil Kya Kare by Adnan Sami was the best.

Acting: John gets an "A+" for the acting. Vidya was good enough. Akshaye Khanna gave people a good laughing dose. Ayesha Takia looked sweetest ever and Juhi Chawla looked youngest ever. Anil Kapoor was perfect, Anjana looked stunning but she did not have much to do. Priyanka Chopra looked bit irritating in the first half but she covered it up in 2nd half. Salman Khan could have explored in a better way but the director did not know how to take good out of him. Govinda and Shannon were good at their roles. Sohail Khan was funny; (Though he didn't have much to do) I think this will be the first movie where I saw some expressions on his face... Ishaa Koppikar should lookout for better roles.

So, overall I would give this movie 2.5 stars out of 5. I am really disappointed; I had lot of expectations from this movie. It could have really done well if it was fine tuned properly. It is worth watching once but you should also keep in mind that, the movie nearly touches 4 hour duration. (3.30 hours to be exact)

Predicto Meter: The movie should get a good start due to very impressive promotion but it might not do good business in long run.

An interview with Nikhil Advani

By IndiaFM News Bureau
Wednesday January 24, 04:25 PM

Did you always wanted to become a director? Also tell us about the period of struggle that you went through while pursuing filmmaking.

I always said that I happen to be the divine child and I happened to be at the right place at the right time. I am actually a drop out of Masters in Chemistry from Xavier's college. I really did not know anything about film making and things related to it, but I thought that I would like to try my hand in this. So, I just took a train to Bandra to Sayeed Mirza's office; Aziz Mirza and Govind Nihlani with Sayeed had started a company called "Friendship Channel Dosti" where they were about seven to eight directors who formed a company and they were actually getting slots from Doordarshan.

I went to Sayeed Mirza who happened to know my mother and I asked if I could assist him. That is where the story starts. Later I worked as assistant director to Sayeed Mirza, Aziz Mirza, Kundan Shah and Sudhir Mishra. All of them were actually directing a serial called Naya Nukkad, which was the sequel to the original Nukkad and I started working with them but the serial closed down. Sudhir at that point wanted to make a film called Is Raat Ki Subah Nahi and I started working with him. While I was working with him I understood that I could write. So, I started writing Is Raat Ki Subah Nahi for which I was credited. Then I met Karan Johar at an award function where we won the screenplay for Is Raat Ki Subah Nahi, he is an old school friend of mine. Karan was going to start Kuch Kuch Hota Hai, so I started working with him, where I also met Aditya Chopra. So, that is why I said, that I happened to be at the right place at right time. I did not ever think that I am going to make films.

Salaam-E-Ishq is again a romantic film after Kal Ho Naa Ho. Besides, it has six tracks running together. Was it challenging for you considering that this just your second film?

First of all, I did not want to do Salaam-E-Ishq because I have a very childish notion that I want to make a thriller. I want to see cars blowing up, I want to see chase sequences down the Linking Road, the way Shahrukh Khan was chased by Sunny Deol in Darr. For me the death scene of Amitabh Bachchan in Sholay is probably the most romantic scene I have ever seen.

So, I did not want to actually do Salaam-E-Ishq but I was getting money to do Salaam-E-Ishq. That is the reason I thought okay let us try it. I had done Kal Ho Naa Ho, so I had this label that I can do this whole kind of genre very well. I definitely did not want to write it. But while discussing with Saurabh Shukla, I think he understood that it was very important in that sense that everything was so clear in my head that he needed to collaborate with me. I hate the process of writing. I don't mind being a director, I don't mind being a producer but I do not ever want to be a writer because it really takes everything out of you. I love the process of editing because I can sit over there and I can change scenes around and I can do those kinds of things. So I did not want to make Salaam-E-Ishq.

When I wrote the film, there was one scene in film I had written, which is the Anil Kapoor and Priyanka Chopra pre-climax scene. When I wrote that scene, I understood that this is the film that should be made, it is a very special film, why, because I think that it is a very simple story, it is a story of love, it has the ups and downs of love, the two faces of love, sadness and happiness.

Do you think John and Vidya story is somewhere very close to your personal life?

I think this track is completely removed from my life story because I would like be John. I mean once you see the film and you understand what the character of Ashutosh Raina is actually going through, I feel that you need to be very strong and special person to do that. Most people in such a situation would actually take the easy road out but he refuses to do so. I do not know whether I would be able to do what he does but in the truest sense of the word, he is the most unlikely hero of that track. You expect Vidya to be the hero but John ends up becoming the hero in that track.

Are all the six stories somewhere connected to each other?

Yes, all the stories are connected to each other in very subtle ways. It is not that at the end of the day, the guys are all brothers and the ladies are sisters. It is very subtle in the sense in the manner that Akshay Khanna is engaged to Ayesha Takia, Ayesha Takia's sister is Juhi Chawla who lives in London with her family whose husband is Anil Kapoor who is an event organizer and is bored of the daily routine of his life. One of the events he organizes has Priyanka Chopra who is the item queen in India; she actually is a small town girl who has come to realize her big Bollywood dream but has only been given item songs to do. Hence, she is called for an event to London by Anil Kapoor's company. Priyanka goes there and tries to manipulate the media because she wants Karan Johar's phone call. Eventually, she becomes victim of the media because a man comes in to her life who teaches her that ambition is not important than love. That man is Salman Khan. Now also when Priyanka Chopra is introduced, she is actually singing in Akshay Khanna's bachelor party. He is late for that bachelor party and reaches the party in Govinda's taxi. Govinda is a taxi driver who for the last 20 years has only been dreaming of one foreign girl who will come out of the international airport in Delhi and sit in his cab. Now, that girl comes and sits in his taxi and he thinks that his dream is going to be fulfilled. But the truth is that she is in love with the boy who has come to India in search of a suitable bride and one of the girls he is looking for is Ayesha Takiya. The story has two faces of love it has lot of happy moments and a lot of sad moments.

What according to you is the USP of the film?

I think there are two USPs of this film one which is not different in anyway is that this is a Bollywood film in true senses of word. I think that today, this whole notion is that 'hatke picture banana chahiye'. It is 'hatke' in the sense that it is not hatke. Salaam-E-Ishq is one beautiful standard Bollywood rollercoaster, which goes up down up down with great songs and everything and you end up coming out happy and satisfied that you have seen a good Bollywood film. But it has doses of realism so you actually feel I know this man like Anil Kapoor or my boyfriend is like Akshaye Khanna or why am I like Ayesha Takia, why I do not have the ability to stand up to my boyfriend or I wish I was like John Abraham or Salman Khan or you will identify with Priyanka's character, which at the end of the day is a small town girl with big dreams. So, you will identify with most of the characters in this film.

Govinda is back after a long gap. How did you decide to cast him knowing that he was going through a lean phase in his career?

I did not cast Govinda, he was suggested to me by Salman. I think he had spoken to Salman that he wanted to come back into films. I used the word 'come back' with lot of repetitions because if you saw how we shot the film with Govinda, all over the North of India, we actually had to hold back villages, people would travel kilometers because they heard that Govinda is shooting at this place. So, I think he never went anywhere; he has always been in our hearts. Salman asked me to narrate this whole script to Govinda and I went to him. I actually felt honoured when Govinda said Yes, I want to do this film.

Isn't the music of your films also one of the biggest USPs?

I think the strength that I bring to any film whether I am directing the film or I am producing the film with different directors is that I will always encourage them to have a rapport with the music directors, the cameramen and the artists involved. Because at the end of the day, the mindsets have been set. Shankar, Ehsaan and Loy are college buddies of mine and we used to exchange CDs. Today when we think about the situations and we listen to the music and when they point out saying 'Sultan Khans music', I know what they are talking about; our music tastes are very similar.

I gave them freedom in every area of the film not only on the music, if you see us interacting, they will actually cursing me on some shot I took or some costume I okayed but not on the music because we know that the music is going to be okay.

Tell us something about Anil's track because it is about extramarital affair?

It is not about an extramarital affair, I think it is more of an infidelity. The word affair is usually associated with intercourse, I feel that when you think of another woman in a particular way, you are already committing adultery and that is what Anil Kapoor and Juhi Chawla's track is about. Because at the end of the day, nothing really happens but because he has only been obsessed and infatuated about this girl, he has only been thinking about this girl that is where Juhi Chawla says that the biggest betrayal was the fact that you do not think about me, you thought about her.

You will work with Karan again?

Karan knows that I am available for whatever he wants me to be a part of. But, whether I will produce or direct for Dharma Productions, I am not sure because I have recently started my own production company with this film and I would like to produce my own films. So, I don't think that it is going to happen in the future.

Do you call Karan your mentor?

I would call Sudhir Mishra my mentor, I would call Sayeed Mirza my mentor and I think it would be very unfair to call only Karan as my mentor.

You are also producing films now. Can you tell us about the films made under your banner?

It is a very small film; it is a very personal story. My wife who works in an NGO heard a story of one boy, she narrated the story to me and I thought it is a fascinating story. It is a story of a boy and a man, and how they influence each others lives and change each others lives and I think it is an interesting story to make a film on. I would like to film it in Bombay in the monsoon season, because I feel that this city is really at its best in the monsoons.

Salaam-E-Ishq director reveals film's end

January 24, 2007

The buzz is huge. And Nikhil Advani has got his fingers crossed, the director having left Karan Johar's Dharma Productions to make this film solo.

Feeling heady, the filmmaker caught up with Komal Mehta and talked about Salaam-E-Ishq, releasing January 25.

What happened after Kal Ho Na Ho? How did Salaam-e-Ishq come to be?

The seeds for Salaam were planted in my head by Sunil Manchanda. He asked me what I thought of a film with six love stories. I was very skeptical at first, because the format for multiple stories in this country is very difficult for audiences to grasp. But the minute I started writing it, I realised that this is something I wanted to do.

What can you tell us about Salaam-e-Ishq?

It has six love stories, intertwined and interconnected. What is interesting about the film is its treatment and screenplay.

Are the characters related?

Yes, they are related in a certain way.

Akshaye Khanna sits in a taxi driven by Govinda in Delhi. Akshaye is getting engaged to Ayesha Takia, the sister of Juhi Chawla. Juhi is married to Anil Kapoor, an event organiser. He calls up Priyanka Chopra, an item girl from London, to perform in Mumbai. Priyanka is connected to Salman Khan, who in turn is connected to Akshaye and Govinda.

Sohail Khan and Isha Koppikar are the only couple not connected to anyone. I like to think of them like the chipmunk in Ice Age who is not connected to the main story -- but every time they come on screen, they make you laugh. I think every director likes to indulge, and these characters are my indulgences.

What are these six stories all about?

Salaam-e-Ishq has nothing to do with love and everything to do with what you should not do when in love. Salaam takes this whole notion of love being a sacred cow and flips it on its head completely. It is best summed up in one line -- 'One common problem: love.' A problem because when you're in love, you know it's a problem. It's a problem you can't live without and the only solution to it is also love. The only way to handle love is to love more.

The characters are simple. We have a taxi driver, an ambitious man, an item girl, a couple looking to elope, a man facing mid-life crisis and his wife, a commitment phobic man and his girlfriend, a girl looking for love and an American.

The most visible part of the movie is its huge star cast. How did you go about casting?

Salman wanted to do a film with me and I wanted the same. He was the first person I approached. Akshaye Khanna was the second person who said he'd do this film. I was very clear that I would not make this film without Anil Kapoor and Priyanka Chopra. The essential thing about Salaam-e-Ishq is that the casting is bang on. Salman was the one who suggested we take in Govinda.

I had Govinda in mind when I wrote the part of a taxi driver. As for Anil Kapoor, he becomes the character as soon as he's in the frame.

Salman is a rock star in real life and that is what he plays in the film, too. He is an enigma, and you don't know whether he is joking or serious. For Priyanka, the requirement was someone who could undergo this journey - a dancer, a comedian who was fairly ambitious but in the heart of hearts is just a sweet, simple Indian girl.

Vidya Balan and John Abraham make an interesting couple. Balan plays a practical, logical, and very Indian woman. The essential thing about John's role is that he starts off as a boy, and matures into a man by the end of the film. Vidya is already a woman in the film and looks after him. He learns from her what love is all about.

'John and Vidya are the best couple'

Is the movie inspired by Love Actually?

Yes, it is inspired by the British film. In fact, every multi-track, multi-starrer movie that I can think of -- Love Actually, American Beauty, Dil Chahta hai, Amar Akbar Anthony -- has inspired me.

So the film is not a copy?

Well, Salman is not the Prime Minister of India.

Salaam was written by you. Does that give you more creative freedom?

If you're passionate about making a particular film then you can do justice to it. Ramesh Sippy did not write Sholay, but his stamp is there in every frame of the film. As for creative freedom, I started writing Salaam because I realised there is a lot of me in this movie. One thing I hate is writing. It is the most exhausting process. I would prefer directing a bound script.

As a producer, did you choose love stories, for your production house's first release because it was a safe bet where Indian audiences are concerned?

Maybe I am, but I'm trying to tell six stories that I thought should be told. I don't think it's a conscious decision.

How did the breaking off from Dharma Productions happen?

I've no idea. I think there were a lot of misunderstandings and miscommunications. But how and when it happened, I don't think I've an answer to that.

How was the experience working with Dharma Productions like?

Working for Dharma Productions and Yashraj Films is like working in a family. They have a very democratic setup and I think they give you lot of creative freedom. I think those are the kind of things I've taken with me while starting my own production company. Whatever Yash Johar has taught me in production is the basis of my own production company.

Was it a natural progression, moving on from being an independent director to starting your own production house?

From the time I've been an assistant, I've always done films where I've been able to handle production. It is very important for director to understand the concept of production because that is the only way that they are able to fulfill their creative requirements. So yes, it was a natural progression.

How has working with Aditya Chopra (Nikhil assisted him in Mohabbatein) and Karan Johar influenced your filmmaking?

They are such talented directors and scriptwriters that even everyday conversations permeate into your thought process. When you're making and writing your own film, there is a certain sur, or tone, that you incorporate in your scenes.

The most important thing Karan or Aditya bring to a table, or to a story, is clarity. They are very clear about everything, and can envision the whole movie right from the first to the last frame. They know exactly what they want to do. So when they are interacting with technicians or actors they instill a certain confidence in them. And that is the greatest strength they've given me. You cannot do a film like Salaam-e-Ishq, you can't bring actors like these on camera, until they have ultimate confidence in you.

So there are no negative feelings between you and Karan?

I think you should call up Karan and ask him that question.

What is your vision for your production house? Is it going to be open to outside directors?

I happen to be a very silent producer in Salaam-e-Ishq. I've been very lucky to have Kal Ho Na Ho as my first film and to have Sunil Manchanda and Mukesh Talreja, who have given me the same kind of opportunity as I got with Dharma Productions.

We're already working with outside directors. My vision for the production house is that I'm not controlling everything but the director is.

You recently adopted a daughter. How does this feel?

It's a wonderful thing. It something my wife and I decided sometime back. We finally summoned up the courage to just do it. There are so many neglected children in this country that it is better for us to give a home to one of them rather than to have our own.

Finally, does Salaam-E-Ishq movie have a happy ending?

Salaam-e-Ishq has got a very, very happy ending. And no one dies.

'Salaam-e-Ishq' - an ode to love, six times over

IANS [Tuesday, January 23, 2007]

Love stories are a staple in Bollywood. After "Kal Ho Naa Ho", Nikhil Advani comes up with not one but six romances in his mega multistarrer "Salaam-E-Ishq: A Tribute To Love" that releases Friday.

The film's ensemble cast comprises Salman Khan, Priyanka Chopra, Anil Kapoor, Juhi Chawla, Akshaye Khanna, Ayesha Takia, Govinda, John Abraham, Vidya Balan, Sohail Khan, Isha Koppikar and Shannon Esra in lead roles.

The movie weaves six love stories together.

Kamini (Priyanka Chopra), a sought after item girl in Bollywood, is desperately looking for a big break. But nothing seems to be happening so she hatches a plan to change her image. The only thing she does not anticipate is the arrival of Rahul (Salman Khan) in her life.

Vinay Malhotra (Anil Kapoor) leads a picture perfect life with his picture perfect wife Seema (Juhi Chawla) and daughters in the suburbs of London. He works with a PR firm and returns home to his wife and daughters. But things change after he bumps into the not so perfect Anjali (Anjana Sukhani). Unconventional and over-confident Anjali comes from a world where single modern girls get what they want. And Anjali wants Vinay.

Shiven (Akshaye Khanna), a consummate bachelor who lives in New Delhi, is engaged to Gia (Ayesha Takia) and is going to get married very soon. But he gets cold feet days before the wedding and breaks off the engagement. It is only later that he realises that he is incomplete without her.

Tehzeeb's (Vidya) and Ashutosh (John) eloped and got married two years ago. Struggling like all young married couples in Mumbai, both of them work at a news channel. Tehzeeb is a reporter and Ashutosh a film editor. Completely crazy about each other, they find it quite difficult to keep their hands off each other. But things change when Tehzeeb meets with an accident.

Raju (Govinda) is a taxi driver in Delhi. He drives from his home in Chandni Chowk to the New Delhi International Airport like he has for the last 15 years. He enjoys watching the doors of the New Delhi International Airport opening and closing because he hopes to meet his dream girl there.

And Stephanie (Shannon Esra) does come from those very doors-the only problem is that she has come looking for her boyfriend Rohit Chaddha (Kushaal Punjabi) and not Raju.

Ramdayal (Sohail) and Phoolwati (Isha) are newly-weds in Haryana. Ramdayal wants to consummate their marriage but whenever he tries to fulfil his desire, something goes wrong. Both of them land up in a series of events that become tragically and comically fatal.

"Salaam-e-Ishq" will be released with 1,100 prints worldwide. The film's music is doing well, but so far not a single episodic film has done well.

Advani's ode to love should hopefully break the jinx.

Salaam-e-Ishq promotes Premier Hockey League

By IndiaFM News Bureau
January 23, 2007 - 11:03 IST

Movies and Sports have are two things which mesmerize the audiences. And how powerful will they be when combined together? ESPN Star Sports has tied up with Salaam-E-Ishq to promote Premier Hockey League (PHL), a domestic hockey tournament.

The stars of Salaam-E-Ishq have already started promoting our national sport. Nikhil Advani, the director of the film, is of the opinion that Hockey is a neglected sport and the film will help promote it.

These kinds of alliances have been done in the past as well. It can be recalled that Priyadarshan’s Bhagam Bhag had also done something similar with Akshay Kumar and Paresh Rawal. Rohit Shetty’s Golmaal promoted FIFA World Cup and Neeraj Vora’s Phir Hera Pheri endorsed English Premier League. Similarly, English Premier League associated with Sanjay Gadhvi’s Dhoom 2. The association definitely works well for both films and the sport.

Nikhil: Sharing experiences

On Sunday, 21st January, Juhu director Nikhil Advani talked to ambitious filmmakers on independent cinema at an event organized by Baiscope at PVR cinemas. Nikhil addressed the different areas of independent cinema which included budgeting, financing, direction, etc. He also talked about his forthcoming multi starrer film Salaam-E-Ishq which is slated for release on January 25. The film stars Anil Kapoor, Juhi Chawla, Salman Khan, Priyanka Chopra, John Abraham, Vidya Balan, Sohail Khan, Isha Koppikar, Govinda and Shannon Esrechowitz. Advani also talked about the storyline and the experience of making Salaam-E-Ishq and took the audience through his career journey. The event saw a mix of mainstream Bollywood directors and some budding new faces all set to take on Bollywood.

Meet Shannon Esra, the South African beauty in 'Salaam-e-Ishq'

By Aparajita Ghosh
23rd Jan 2007 22.05 IST

She is a well-known face on South African television. Shannon Esrechowitz (also known as Shannon Esra) is one of the six heroines in Nikhil Advani's movie Salaam-e-Ishq .

At the age of 24, Shannon has come a long way since she began her acting career at 16. Shannon's very first acting assignment was in the movie 'I Dreamed of Africa' (2000) that starred Kim Basinger and Vincent Perez in lead roles. In the movie, Shannon played a young girl named Siri.

Having already begun her acting career at a young age, Shannon then went on to study Dramatic Arts at the University of Witwatersrand where she received a special commendation for being the most outstanding student.

After taking her honorary degree, Shannon dabbled in theatre productions. She gave an award winning performance in Dorothy Ann Gould's production 'Japes'.

From year 2005, Shannon's acting career began to pick up. She played a small but important role opposite actor Eric Stoltz in the Sci Fi Channel's miniseries 'The Triangle'. But what brought her to everyone's notice was her role as an undercover cop in the gritty psychological thriller 'Snitch'.

In 2006, she played the romantic lead in Darrell Roodt's film 'Number 10'.

It was around this time Shannon got an offer to play one of the leading ladies in Nikhil Advani 's movie 'Salaam-e-Ishq'. In the film she plays a New Yorker who comes to India to prevent her boyfriend from an arranged marriage. Her co-star in the film is Govinda , who plays a taxi driver and falls in love with her.

Although Shannon has no ambition to move to Bollywood, she is quoted as saying that she might consider more film offers in future, if the roles are good. She is also eager to make her mark in Hollywood.

'Salaam-e-Ishq' releases on January 25.

SEI slated to take a bumper opening

Joginder Tuteja, IndiaGlitz [Tuesday, January 23, 2007]

While 'Guru' has brought smiles on the faces of exhibitors after a heartening response at the box office, especially in the cities, there are more reasons for them to feel elated as they await a 4 day long weekend for 'Salaam E Ishq'.

The film is expected to take a euphoric beginning at the box office for multiple reasons:

A) The film releases on Thursday, 25th January, a day before Republic Day hence enjoying the fruits of a 4-day long weekend

B) Its multi starcast ensures that there is everything for everyone

C) The film looks like a sweet family entertainer with ample light hearted moments to keep you involved in the proceedings

D) It comes from Nikhil Advani, the director of 'Kal Ho Na Ho'

E) Last but not the least, some very good songs by Shankar-Ehsaan-Loy that are already topping the charts

With number of such reasons in the film's favor and no major competition during the week with 'Parzania' being the only other release, it would be quite surprising if SEI doesn't take a start on par with some of the major successes of the year gone by.

Eros to release Salaam-e-Ishq with 1100 prints

By Rohini Bhandari
(22 January, 2007)
MUMBAI: Nikhil Advani's multi starrer Salaam-e-Ishq will be released with 1100 prints worldwide by distributors Eros International on 25 January 2007.

Says Eros chairman and CEO Kishore Lulla, "We are releasing approximately 800 prints worldwide, in addition to 300 digital screens. But as the release date approaches, the number of prints is increasing every day."

The film stars Salman Khan, Priyanka Chopra, Anil Kapoor, Juhi Chawla, Govinda, Shannon Esrechowitz, Akshaye Khanna, Ayesha Takia, John Abraham, Vidya Balan, Sohail Khan, Isha Koppikar and Anjana Sukhani.

Last year, Eros International distributed Vishal Bhardwaj's Omkara and Arjun Rampal's home production, I See U, worldwide.

This year, Eros will distribute Vidhu Vinod Chopra's Eklavya - The Royal Guard worldwide.

"I want to surprise myself," says Nikhil Advani

[Interview by Faridoon Shahryar]
Wednesday, January 17, 2007

Nikhil Advani, the former assistant of Karan Johar is going solo with his big ticket 'Salaam-e-ishq' starring the A list of Bollywood actors. As the film is releasing on 25th January (A Thursday as he wants to cash in on Republic Day Holiday), he tells Indiaglitz in a freewheeling interview that his latest offering is not different from any other conventional Hindi film. And yes it is a whopping three and a half hour marathon…

Q:What are your expectations from Salaam-e-ishq

How do you want me to answer this question? What do you think my expectatins will be from this film! We've been working on this film for the last two years. Every day of this last two years or so I haven't slept properly. My expectation is that it get its due credit.

Q: The huge starcast….How did you pull it off?

I had a bound script. And the hero of the film is the script. I think everybody else is just supporting the script. When everyone has been given a narration about their role and what others are doing then it makes things easier.

Q: Akshay Khanna is being spoken about as having the best lines…
He has the most witty lines. Lines that youth of today will identify with the most.

Q:Govinda's 'Bhagam Bhag' didn't find him doing much running aound….Is he getting justice in Salaam-e-ishq?

I don't think Govinda went anywhere. When I was shooting one of his key shoots in Rishikesh at Ram Jhoola, there were twenty thousand people right behind me watching all his moves. Wherever we went in North of the country, we've had to hold back crowds that had been mobbing Govinda. So he never went anywhere.
Kal Ho Na Ho was produced-n-written by Karan. And now you are turning solo…

I have to be ready for that. 'Kal Ho Na Ho' could not have been made without Yash Johar, Karan Johar and Shahrukh Khan. If I was a small part of the 'KHNH' team then I should be prepared for the comparisons. SEI in a way is an extension of the style of 'KHNH' whether it is in the narrative, storytelling or technique.
Karan had written the script of KHNH….While you are one of the writers of SEI…

SEI script is written by Saurab Shukla, Suresh Nair and me. I truly believe that it could not have been written by one person. I think my world is dominated by Karan Johar world of writing. Imitation is the best way of flattery. There are moments in SEI where you shall feel that Karan Johar is very good at such scenes.
The posters and newspapers advertisements of SEI are unconventional

The publicity of any film today has to be striking. KHNH publicity had three people staring in camera with the New York skyline in the background because there are four characters in the film. In SEI there are twelve characters and it's a story of six different couples. It's a film of moments. And the best way of presenting moments is through photographs.

Q:SEI music has references in Kajra Re…Whereas KHNH music was pathbreaking….

'Saiyaan Re' is totally inspired from a 'Kajra Re' kind of number as I wanted to do a Mujra kind of song. 'Mera Dil' is my ambition of doing 'Ho Gaya Hai Tukhko To Pyaar Sajna'. You are right….the music of SEI is very situational. At least four songs have almost the couples performing. The title track is a big celebration which is happening in six different places all over the world. When you have a song like 'Kal Ho Na Ho' which has been rated as one of the twenty greatest songs of Indian cinema, then when we were doing music for SEI we didn't try to better KHNH.

Q:The success of title track of Kal Ho Na Ho was enhanced by Javed Akhtar's lyrics which is missing in Salaam-e-ishq

I fulfilled the promise made to Samir Sahab during the making of 'Kuch Kuch Hota Hai' that I would one day work with him. And I think he has done an outstanding job.
How is Salaam-e-ishq is a different love story?

SEI is not different at all. It's the most standard Bollywood masala film that you can get. First of all it is three and a half hours. You shall be entertained, laugh, cry, enjoy the music, great visuals and go on a rollercoaster ride of twelve fantastic actors then that's Salaam-e-ishq.

Q:What kind of films fascinate you?

Every film fascinates me. Whether it's a feature film, regional, world cinema. Books fascinate me. I love the way Woody Allen tells his stories and writes his dialogues. Today it is important that characters talk to each other rather than give lectures to each other. I enjoy Bimal Roy, I think Guru Dutt is one of the most underrated directors of our country. Then while I was studying I grew up on Satyajit Ray.
Year 2006 saw new kinds of films like RDB, Lage Raho, Taxi No 9 2 11 etc…

Q:Ever tempted to do something outside your own domain….

I want to be the kind of guy who is unpredictable. I want to surprise myself, my audiences and people who are working with me. Right now I don't have any idea what I shall be doing next. But when I do announce what I am gonna do next then it will surprise a lot of people

Ishq vishq, pyaar vyaar!

Akshaye Khanna talks about his forthcoming film Salaam-E-Ishq, and about being in no hurry to fall in love
Ram Kamal Mukherjee

Akshaye Khanna is excited about his forthcoming film Salaam-E-Ishq. The actor, who is acting in Nikhil Advani's film for the first time, feels that Nikhil is one of the most articulate directors he has worked with so far. Hailing from the Karan Johar camp, it was but obvious for Nikhil to harp on a relationship-based theme in Salaam-E-Ishq. "Nikhil has definitely imbibed some of Johar's qualities as his assistant. But after working in Salaam-E-Ishq, I have realised that he is a fantastic director, since managing six stories simultaneously in a film was not an easy job," says Akshaye.

Though he plays the role of a passionate lover in Nikhil's film, Akshaye is unhappy about is single status in personal life. "Like any normal human being, I would also want to fall in love again. After being in a relationship, it really feels bad to be single. I don't think one can ever predict one's love life. But I am in no hurry," he smiles.

Recently, Akshaye Khanna made a comment on marrying a lady like Aishwarya Rai. "Ha ha... Oh God! I was expecting this question," he says. "When someone asked me about the kind of woman I would like to marry, I simply said that she would be someone like Ash. She is talented and beautiful, anyone would like to marry a woman like her," says Akshaye.

Akshaye plays Ayesha Takia's boyfriend who is scared of commitments. Akshaye's track is the only story that intermingles with other plots. Adds Akshaye, "My track comes simultaneously with John Abraham and Govinda's tracks. This is one of the most interesting character I have ever played. And when I say this, I include a film like Dil Chahta Hai," he says. 

Akshaye even agreed to walk the ramp for the music launch of the film. "I had never done it before," he says. "But when Nikhil's wife mentioned that it was for a good cause and the money would go to the street children, I agreed," he adds.

Incidentally, after the ramp show Akshaye was floored with calls from Delhi based designers to walk the ramp for them. "I have not given it a thought. I would love to walk the ramp provided I like the outfit. I am open to experiments and I think it is an interesting job," he says.

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