A Bollywood film and the styles it has inspired are all the rage in a city where watching movies was once forbidden.
By Rahimullah Samander in Kabul (ARR No. 112, 26-Mar-04)
Rahimullah Samander is an editor/trainer with IWPR in Kabul.
Kabul has gone crazy over the latest hit film from Bollywood. Tere Naam, an Indian film, has much of the city’s population enthralled.
Pictures of the film’s stars – Salman Khan and Bhumika Chawla – are being used to sell everything from clothing and makeup to food. Music from the film and its movie posters are hot commodities.
Tere Naam, which means “In Your Name" in Hindi, looks set to surpass the Hollywood blockbuster Titanic as the Afghan moviegoing public’s favourite. Its characters are becoming Kabul’s top fashion icons.
In 2001, Titanic was so popular that one of major bazaars was renamed in its honour, despite a ban by the Taleban on watching films. Men sought to have their hair styled like Leonardo DiCaprio’s sweeping locks in the film, even though wearing long hair was prohibited. The fundamentalist regime arrested more than two dozen barbers in Kabul for cutting young men's hair in the style of the Titanic hero.
Now, that’s all changed. “Men used to want Titanic hairstyles but now the Tere Naam style has taken over,” said barber Asadullah.
Tere Naam’s star, Salman Khan, wears long, straight hair reaching down to his ears before shaving his locks near the end of the film. The Romeo-and Juliet saga tells the story of a bad boy who is transformed by his love for a Hindu scholar's daughter.
Moviegoing is once again a popular pastime in the capital, especially among men. Tere Naam has been shown in several of the capital’s cinemas since it was released late last year and has been broadcast on television twice. The soundtrack from the film can be heard everywhere in the city.
What is it about the Bollywood melodrama – which leaves the heroine dead and the hero in a psychiatric hospital – that has transfixed Kabul?
"[It’s because] the movie star loves this girl like crazy, and he became crazy for her,” said Mustafa, who runs a tile shop plastered with images from the film.
But the film also stands out from the escapist fare that often comes out of India. Its message is darker than most – the heroine commits suicide after being forced to marry a man she doesn't love, dashing any hope of a happy ending. In Afghanistan, where forced marriages are not unusual and forbidden love can mean risking death, the movie has particular resonance.
In an interview with The Times of India, Tere Naam director Satish Kaushik said the film differed from other Bollywood extravaganzas because "the story is real; it actually happened to two people in love".
In Afghanistan, Radio Arman programme manager Masood Sanjar estimated that that about 40 per cent of the requests his station now receives are for songs from the film. And CD and DVD wholesaler Mussadiq said that he has sold 5,000 copies of the movie and 15,000 copies of the music from the film.
Other vendors agree that Tere Naam is a hot seller. "When other movies are released, there are good sales for two or three days, whereas I have sold 20 to 30 copies of Tere Naam per day for the past three months,” said Najibullah.
It seems everyone is trying to capitalise on the film’s success. Clothing seller Mohammad Wali said he sold 127 pairs of trousers with the name Tere Naam stitched into them in just one week. Mohammad Zarif, who sells spectacles, said he has been doing a brisk business in knock-offs of the impenetrable black sunglasses Khan wears in the film.
Stickers and posters - some with the actors’ heads obviously transplanted onto other people's bodies - are everywhere.
Many Afghans have long been devoted Bollywood fans, even when watching such films was forbidden by the Taleban. Pirated DVDs of Hindi films are cheap and widely available in Kabul, and many Afghans who have spent time in neighbouring Pakistan understand Urdu and Hindi.
For years, Kabul television aired a Hindi movie every Friday night, with simultaneous translations into Pashtu or Dari, before such broadcasts were suspended by the Taleban regime.
But Tere Naam looks set to eclipse any of India’s previous offerings.
Asked to explain the film’s popularity, Samir, a CD seller in central Kabul, said simply, "I like this movie because it has a very good love story and very good songs."
Teenager Harun said he has seen the movie three times. What attracted him to the film? “I like Salman Khan's hairstyle," he said.

RE-RELEASE A SUCCESS - Indolink: December 12, 2003
Remember we had told you that ,Tere Naam will be revived in some parts of India namely U.P. and Central India (specially) , to cash in on the Idd festival.
Tere Naam has worked wonders in its revived run in parts of C.P. Berar . It has created city records in the first week at Rajkamal in Dhule , at New Prakash in Burhanpur and at Amardep in Bhusaval .
The film also created theater records in its first and second weeks at Nagpur´s Janki cinema and in the first week at Saroj in Amravati , Sharda in Durg and in 5 cinemas of Chalisgaon.
The film has also collected decent grosses during its re-run in U.P and Delhi City .

RE-RELEASE - Indolink: November 27, 2003
Salman Khan´s Tere Naam , which has re-established him as one of the most dependable star for bannerless movies (along with Sunny Deol), has completed 100 days in many parts of India , this week . The movie is going for a re-release in some parts of India namely U.P. and Central India (specially) , to cash in on the Idd festival.
Convinced that luck is on his side , C.P. distributor Laloo Kabra , has decided to revive on Idd , his Salman Khan starrer , Tere Naam with 27 prints - the same number of prints with which the film had opened on 15th August this year .
Kabra has got fresh promotional posters designed for the grand revival of the Salman starrer . He feels that the film would provide an opposition to the two new releases on Idd , starring four Khans , Kal Ho Naa Ho(Shah Rukh and Saif Ali Khan) and Janasheen(Fardeen and Feroz Khan) .
Kabra has been riding the crest of success with his Tere Naam , Gangaajal and Baghban providing successes . Last week he has released Out Of Control . Kabra´s forthcoming release is Khakee .

FLOORED 'EM ALL - HT: August 17, 2003

Jeetendra congratulates Salman Khan for his riveting performance

As the Salman Khan-starrer Tere Naam opened to packed houses all over, HT City and DT Cinemas celebrated the occasion on Friday evening at ITC Maurya Sheraton’s Kamal Mahal. Star-struck Salman fans caught a glimpse of their favourite hero as well as got an opportunity to interact with him at the do.
Most of the swish set that turned out at the gala had missed out on the special screening of the film organised by DT cinemas earlier in the day but planned to catch it soon. “I haven’t seen the film but I am here specially for Salman,” said Pratibha Advani. Echoing her view was MP, Rajeev Shukla: “The last movie I checked out was Koi… Mil Gaya and Tere Naam is surely next on my ‘things to do’ list!”
Those who had attended the screening earlier in the day couldn’t stop raving about how well an intricate web of emotions had been spun in the story. “The portrayal of emotions is beautiful,” remarked Neelam Rudy, wife of Civil Aviation Minister, Rajiv Pratap Singh Rudy.
Denying rumours that the story of the film was inspired by his own life, Salman joked: “It’s actually the true love story of Gautam Kumar (who presents the film).” Looking happy with the initial response that the film has garnered was Bollywood debutante Bhoomika Chawla who stars in Tere Naam opposite Salman. Of course, she may be Salman’s obsession in the film, but Bhoomika stumped all (Salman included, of course) by addressing him as “Salman Bhai”. With her head firmly on her shoulders, Chawla is choosing her roles with caution: “Right now, I am doing Run but I am looking forward to doing some different roles, not the same old run-of-the-mill characters.”
Satish Kaushik, director of Tere Naam, moves away from his characteristic slapstick (Badhai Ho Badhai) or family melodrama (Hum Aapke Dil Mein Rehte Hain, Hamara Dil Aapke Paas Hai) to more realistic yet commercial filmmaking with this film. “This is way beyond my personality, but continuing in this genre I will soon be staging a play, Salesman Ramlal,” he informs.
Producer Sunil Manchanda is already laughing his way to the bank, “with the opening weekend being booked to capacity. I can’t even imagine what history this film will create,” he said.

UNIQUE START! - IndiaFM : August 16, 2003
He may be surrounded by controversies, but there's no denying the fact that when it comes to fan-following, Salman Khan's popularity chart is rock-steady. While his fans ensured that TERE NAAM generated excellent opening all over, one section of his fans in Jodhpur [Rajasthan] went one step ahead.
A big group of body builders booked the entire Balcony seats of Jodhpur's Nasrani cinema for the very first show of the film on Friday. The procession arrived in 4-5 open jeeps, many of them sporting Salman's hairstyle from the film. One of them was even seen in shackles, the kind of which the actor has worn in the second half of the film.
Not to be left behind, the management of the theatre also joined in the festive mood. They welcomed the procession and garlanded those sporting Salman's get-up.

SALMAN'S TERE NAAM! - Sify : August 15, 2003
The film industry is rejoicing the extraordinary advance booking of the Salman Khan starrer, Tere Naam. The film, due to open this Friday (August 15) took the entire film trade by surprise with historic window takings on Monday (August 11), the day its plans opened.
Bombay and Delhi witnessed heavy crowds at the plans windows, comparable to the advance booking of films like Kabhi Khushi Kabhie Gham…and last week’s Koi…Mil Gaya. Cities like Meerut had never seen it so good. All records of the last five years were broken with serpentine queues outside Nandan cinema on Monday morning. In the first two hours of the ticket-windows opening, tickets worth Rs. 3 lakhs had been sold, a feat not even Gadar Ek Prem Katha, K3G, Main Prem Ki Diwani Hoon or Koi…Mil Gaya could boast of.
What was the reason for the almost unprecedented advance booking of the Tamil super-hit Sethu remake? Surely, the audience couldn’t have been excited that it was the remake of a blockbuster. For, umpteen other remakes of South films have taken dismal initials in the past. Frankly, the point about remakes makes a difference only while selling the film to distributors. Beyond that, the initial of a film is not governed by the fact that it is or isn’t a remake.
What’s more, unlike films like K3G, which starred half the film industry, Tere Naam had just a Salman to sell itself. Even the heroine, Bhoomika Chawla, is a rank newcomer for the Hindi cinegoer. No doubt, she is a successful heroine down South, but, like the point of remakes, this too doesn’t hold much meaning for an average Hindi cinegoer.
There were several factors that led to the phenomenal ticket sales of Tere Naam. For one, the songs of the Salman starrer have become huge hits. The simple lyrics, very Indian in thought, have won the hearts of the music buffs. Himesh Reshammiya’s tunes have actually seen the album selling like hot cakes. Why, music stores even reported a decline in the sale of music cassettes of the earlier hottest selling film album, Koi…Mil Gaya once the music of Tere Naam was released in the market. Secondly, although the only saleable star in the film is Salman Khan, his film is coming to the theatres after a gap of more than a year.
Therefore, the long wait of his fans to see their idol after such a long time is translating itself in the form of a bumper opening. Thirdly, the promotional trailers of the love story give the impression that the film offers ‘something different’, that one quality in a film that is being sought by a majority of cinegoers fed up of routine stuff. In fact, it wouldn’t be wrong to say that the trailers had done the trick no sooner they went on air on the various satellite channels. Yes, Salman’s different hair style in the film did come in for criticism from some quarters, but that could hardly be expected to come in the way of a flying start to the film.
But, perhaps, the most important factor for the wonderful advance booking is the Salman sympathy wave sweeping the nation currently. From being everybody’s favourite punching bag - and not without reason, - the controversial star suddenly seems to have become everyone’s darling, again for comprehensible causes. For one, his second brush with law in the hit-and-run case followed by his imprisonment won him public sympathy more than hatred even though he was accused of causing the death of one person.
Close on the heels of that accident came the news that Aishwarya Rai had called off her affair with him. Again, although the actress revealed that Salman used to beat her up sometimes, the sympathy after the break-up went to Salman, not to Ash.
Thereafter came his controversy with Vivek Oberoi, in which the latter called a press conference to tell the world that Salman had threatened him with dire consequences. Salman’s stoic silence and resolve to not get into a slanging match with Vivek won him more fans than adversaries. Much as Vivek would hate it, it is a fact that he too has been responsible in no small measure for the grand opening of Tere Naam. Perhaps, Salman can send Suresh Oberoi’s son a thank-you card with the words Tere Naam, to gratefully acknowledge Vivek’s contribution to the initial of his latest release. Although it may sound too communal, it must be said that cinemas in predominantly Muslim areas have reported the best advance booking for the film.
Finally, given the grand opening, it is almost a foregone conclusion that Tere Naam would be Salman’s comeback vehicle. The film looks poised to succeed at the box-office, may be in a major way. If that happens, Salman would have a success to his credit after a long, long time. Independence Day may, perhaps, mark Salman’s freedom from failures and flops.

BIG PICTURE! - Sify: August 14, 2003

Tere Naam has been dubbed as Salman Khan's true love story. But is it really the Bollywood macho man's autobiography on celluloid? To find out, tune into MTV Big Picture for a heart-to-heart interview with the cast of Tere Naam and Salman himself on August 14 at 7 pm. The show is to be hosted by VJ Sophia. Sophia will make Salman talk about his funky hairdo in the film, the reactions he has got to this new look, the car he drives, his first love-letter, his relationship with Katrina Kaif and much more. And further, for the first time ever, Salman parts with his favourite earring -- a little silver foot. The show will be repeat telecast on August 17 at 9 pm and August 19 at 1:30 pm. So watch Salman Khan narrate the tale behind Tere Naam.

CROWDPULLER! - Mid-day: August 12, 2003
Salman Khan is back. This time with a bizarre hairdo in Tere Naam — Unfortunately A True Love Story which releases this Friday.
And no matter how much the public may have criticised him for the black bucks, the brawls over Aishwarya Rai and drunken driving, the advance booking of Tere Naam suggests that all is forgiven — and forgotten.
Theatres in Mumbai, New Delhi and Hyderabad have reported full bookings for the weekend as soon as the box-office opened yesterday. All three weekend shows at Gaiety in Bandra, Maratha Mandir in Mumbai Central and Liberty in Marine Lines are running housefull.
A crowd of almost 400 had queued up at Liberty, while Maratha Mandir had 150 people asking for tickets yesterday. Bookings in New Delhi have almost paralleled Koi... Mil Gaya bookings.
Gushes Fernandes, manager at Liberty, “The response to Tere Naam has been excellent. But then right from Hum Aapke Hain Koun and Hum Dil De Chuke Sanam, Judwaa or Hum Saath Saath Hain... all Salman Khan films always run to packed houses in Liberty.”
This enthusiasm could be attributed to one single factor —Salman Khan. Khan hasn’t had a single release after the David Dhawan directed Yeh Hai Jalwa in July 2002.
Explains film trade analyst, Amod Mehra, “Salman will be appearing in an action tapori kind of role after a long, long time.” His last few releases, Tumko Na Bhool Payenge (April 2002), Hum Tumhare Hain Sanam (May 2002) and Yeh Hai Jalwa had Salman doing romantic roles.
Mehra also feels that after the Salman-Vivek Oberoi fracas, Salman’s image as a violent lover in Tere Naam is very similar to his now off-screen image.
Rumours about Tere Naam being Salman’s own love story, which it is not, are also adding to the appeal of the film. “People are curious to know what the film is about. That’s what pulling them to theatres,” says Mehra.
Another reason producer Mukesh Talreja cites for Tere Naam’s early popularity is its emotional plot.
Says Talreja, “The film is not just a lovey-dovey happy story. Paticularly after the interval, the film is very emotional. People are interested because of that.”
Whatever the reasons, one thing is certain. Salman Khan, the adorable sweetheart in Maine Pyar Kiya, Hum Aapke Hain Sanam and Hum Dil De Chuke Sanam, still remains a crowdpuller.

ADVANCE BOOKING! - Indiatimes : August 12, 2003
While Rakesh Roshan's sci-fi flick is running to packed theatres and Hrithik's outstanding performance as a mentally challenged lad is the most talked about thing in town, there's more muscle power that will be taking over the theatres this week. It's Satish Kaushik's Salman starrer, 'Tere Naam', where Sallu plays the role of an obsessive lover. According to trade reports and close monitoring of the booking counters at theatres, we've heard that 'Tere Naam' has received tremendous advance booking for the first week, and theatres in Mumbai, New Delhi and Hyderabad were sold house full for the weekend as soon as the box-office opened yesterday. And for those who thought that Salman's filmi career was down and out - may we rest our case here?

I'D DO ANYTHING! - Indiatimes & Rediff: August 12, 2003

I'd do anything: Salman @ Rediff

Don't destroy your life for one person. That, says Salman Khan, is the message of his latest film which releases Friday.
"Don't destroy your life for one person because there're lots of other people who love you a lot more, though may be not the same way," says Salman, who reportedly had a difficult time breaking his relationship with Aishwarya Rai.
When told that his role in "Tere Naam" seems tough, Salman strikes an ultra cool posture.

"What's so difficult about it? The wig? Though I hate get-ups, I wasn't uncomfortable wearing it because I'm comfortable with anything in life," he told IANS.
"I had to be long-haired in the first-half and go bald in the second-half. It's as simple as that," he drawls.
"Do you remember in school the teacher would taunt you, so that you cut your long hair? I play that small town hero with long hair. With the hair come the attitude and the intensity and romance. I play Radhe, the local hero."
Contrary to the images projected in the film's hard-hitting promos on television, Salman says he doesn't play an anti-social character in "Tere Naam".
"I'm not at all a thug in the film. I play a very correct person. Though I'm jobless, I'm a guys' guy who would do anything to protect family and friends."
Salman says his character's destiny changes after he meets a sweet simple girl played by newcomer Bhoomika Chawla.
"Destiny is the villain of the plot. Finally all the things that Radhe has done to support and protect his friends catch up with him. My character goes through great trauma. That's what happens when you lose faith in the person who loves you to death."
Sick of being asked whether "Tere Naam" is a replay of his own relationship with Aishwarya, Salman chuckles in exasperation.
"Everybody has asked me this question. You're also asking this although you know that the same plot has been made in three other languages.
"This guy Radhe keeps all his frustrations within himself. He keeps wondering why the girl can't see he's the one person that loves her the most."
Is Radhe the character close to Salman's heart?
"I'd do anything for those I care for. That one thing does make me like Radhe. But after a point the character is certainly not me."

ON TV! - Sify: August 06, 2003
Salman Khan on TV. No, we are not talking of the actor's foray into tele-serials. He talks to his fans in the exclusive programme 'On Air' on music channel ETC.
This will be the first time Salman Khan will appear on a television channel to talk to his fans right in their homes.
He will be sharing his views on Tere Naam, where he plays Radhe Shyam. "Radhe is madly in love with a simple girl who hates him. Whenever she tries to come close to him she sees some sort of violent act by him and moves away. Like true love stories this also has a tragic end," he says about his new film, which has taken only three months to complete. "
My producers have made me work very hard," he jests.
On the music of Tere Naam he says that it has lyrical value which brings in sweetness and pain of emotions.
"During the shooting of this film, I have seen a lot of India." He goes on to add: "This is first time that I am talking so much about any film. I really liked working for Tere Naam and it has been made with sincerity. You will not go back disappointed after seeing the film."
He will talk about his co stars, his heroine, his favourite songs and favorite scenes, the story, emotions and reactions, the programme.
ETC viewers can catch Salman Khan talking to his fans in 'On Air' on August 7, Thursday, at 7.30 pm. The programme will be repeat telecast on Friday at 1.00 pm.

TERE NAAM! - HINDUSTAN TIMES: July 29, 2003
Sources close to Bollyood's enfant terrible insist 'Tere Naam' - 'unfortunately based on a true love story' - could be art imitating life. Although newcomer Bhumika Chawla, who plays the lead opposite Sallu baba in the film, isn't a patch on Aishwarya Rai's world-winning beauty, the parallels are a little hard to miss.

From an idyllic romance between two young people head-over-heels in love, the story gradually acquires tragic overtones when a misunderstanding tears them apart. Salman's character in the film is unable to come to terms with this separation and veers out of control. In a chain of events by now familiar to Salman-watchers, the emotionally distraught hero turns violent and gets into situations that defy logic.

His scrapes with the law notwithstanding, Salman denies reliving his on-off affair with Ash in 'Tere Naam'. "People say such things only because the film has been promoted as an unsuccessful love story. Its just coincidence that 'Tere Naam' is being released at a time when I don't share a very good relationship with Aishwarya. But believe me the film has nothing to do with real life. It's in fact a remake of the Telegu blockbuster 'Sethu' and the assignment came to me like any other", he says.

However Salman admits that like the protagonist of 'Tere Naam', he too is a victim of misunderstanding. According to the actor: "I have always been misunderstood and saddled with a 'bad-boy' image that I do not deserve. Let me once for and all set the record straight - no matter what the impression, I am not the short-tempered, ill-mannered brat people think I am."

PRESS CONFERENCE! - INDIATIMES: July 20, 2003

 
Salman Khan and Satish Kaushik at a press meet in New Delhi on Sunday, July 20, 2003,
to promote their forthcoming film, Tere Naam.

	Click on Thumbnails to view the larger picture

 VIDEO @ Indiatimes

The launch of Satish Kaushik's 'Tere Naam' was certainly a star studded evening. The lead pair - Salman Khan his usual casual self, dressed in a chocolate brown suede shirt, and Bhoomika were flanked by the glitterati of Bollywood - Sallu's 'Tumko Na Bhool Paayenge' co-star, the pretty Diya Mirza, Lara Dutta, Tusshar Kapoor, Anil Kapoor and director Priyadarshan just to name a few.

AUDIO @ Rediff

Everyone says I have to be a role model. Let me tell them, I am also a human being. It is upto the media to portray me the way they want. You have the power of pen. You guys decide what to write and what not to. I have been leading my life peacefully." Strong words from Salman Khan, who has always been called the troublemonger in Bollywood by the media.

Recently, he was involved in a car accident on September 28 when he allegedly killed a person. Vivek Oberoi then held a press conference alleging that Khan called him 41 times on a single night, threatening to kill Oberoi if he didn't stay away from Khan's former girlfriend Aishwarya Rai.

Friday, July 11, saw the music release of his latest film, Tere Naam, directed by Satish Kaushik.

When asked how important Tere Naam was to his career, he says, "Every film is important." Then he joked, "But I guess this film is more important for the producer and distributor." The first half of the film sees Salman sporting long hair while in the second half, he is bald. "The story is about two people in a small town," he explains.

Recent reports suggested Tere Naam was based on the romance between Khan and Aishwarya Rai. Khan says, "This is ridiculous. The climax of the film is not at all like my personal life. I would tell my fans not to follow what I have done in the film. Do not get carried away with the role. One has to move on in life and that is what I have learnt in life," he says.

The only reason he did this film, he says, is because, "I liked the script and the fact that Satish was directing the film. He is a really competent director and I wanted to do this film with him."

About his director Satish Kaushik, Khan says, "He is an actor so he knows actors' problems. I just had to follow him." Bhoomika Chawla, the heroine who debuts in Hindi films with Tere Naam, he says, is "so sweet. She reminded me a lot of Bhagyashree of Maine Pyar Kiya."

Khan claims he does not feel misunderstood. "Everyone knows what I am," he says. "But my life and my doings make interesting news copy. Look at Shilpa [Shetty]'s dad Surendra Shetty. Why did he get arrested? People write about this every day. It is most ridiculous. One has to be honest to oneself. Take a stance and be clean. That is what I am doing and I have done."

November 13, 2002

After scores of controversies and spending a couple of weeks in prison for having mowed down a person to death, Salman Khan is back to film shoots. An arrogant, aggressive brat, similar to his personality, that is what Salman is playing in Satish Kaushik's "Tere Naam". The film also features debutant southern actress Bhoomika Chawla.
With long hair and dressed inadequately, Salman along with Bhoomika, right now is inacting a scene where he is expressing his love to her."Tere Naam", as the name itself speaks, is a story of a simple small town girl played by Bhoomika, whom Salman abducts when she refuses his proposal. The passionate love story gradually transforms him into a sober human.
Speaking to ANI about her role and commenting on Salman, Bhoomika said that his image of being a difficult co-star is untrue."This is a story of a simple brahmin girl, who only gets out for going to college or to buy vegetables and she doesn't know anything about outside world"."I felt very comfortable with Salman. As a co-artist I never felt that I was a newcomer, whenever I had problem he helps me out.He is very comfortable and helpful to work with," Bhoomika said.
Same sentiments were echoed by director Satish Kaushik.Kaushik also claimed "Tere Naam" to be a passionate love story. "Tere Naam- is a very passionate, very strong and very unusual love story. Itis a different love story in which the atmosphere of the characters are entirely new. It is very strong and passionate love story. This project came to me through Salman. Sunil Mulchandani is the producer of this film. When he described the strong nature of the character then obviously it was Salman who could do it,"said Kaushik.
"Every incident teaches you something in life an leaves an impact. Salman has became more receptive and I guess he is a stronger person now," Kaushik said.Salman also has some more films in pipelines. The actor will also be seen with Shilpa Shetty in K.Adhiyaman's "Dil Churake Chal Diye", and Puneet Issar's "Sanghar" again with Shilpa.
After all the harrowing time at the hands of his fans, Salman is hoping that the release of "Tere Naam" will change the winds for him.The film hits the silver screen in December.

October 30, 2002
A remake of the south-hit Sethu, it has newcomer Bhoomika opposite Khan. Produced by Sunil Manchanda and directed by Satish Kaushik, Tere Naam has around 13 days of shooting left. Khan, who will shoot for this film first, not only sports a long-haired wig in the film but had also gone bald for a few scenes.

September 19, 2002
ON LOCATION
We are on the sets of Tere Naam, the remake of the Tamil hit Sethu. The film is being directed by the King of Remakes Satish Kaushik, who can remake anything that others make. Be it Hamara Dil Aapke Paas Hai, Hum Aapke Dil Mein Rehte Hain or Mujhe Kuchh Kehna Hai, Kaushik has had a good success ratio with remakes.

The original
Sethu, earlier made in Tamil, Telugu and Kannada, is about Sethu (Vikram) — a rowdy college boy who, after a ragging session, loses his heart to first yearite Abitha (Abitha), a traditional Brahmin girl. Just when Abitha reciprocates his love, Sethu is attacked by a gang of goondas, loses his mind and is admitted to an ashram where, it is hoped, the more traditional means of treatment could have a therapeutic effect on him.

The locale
We are at Film City. Bhoomika Chawla (you have seen her in several ads before: Cofitose and Whisper among others) is making her first bhoomika in Hindi.
Bhoomika is a star down south with hits like Kushi, Badri, Yuvagudu, Snehamante Ideraa, Vasu and Rajakootam and rumours of an affair with director Surya. “I have modelled for MAD films before,” says Bhoomika, who is now looking at other roles in Bollywood.
Bhoomika emerges out of a temple when a van screeches up to her. Sallu is supposed to come out of the van and drag her in.
The shot is repeatedly tried out because the van driver is as deaf as Van Gogh and reaches the spot late every time.

Enter the Salman
Khan enters the scene. He is upset about an article that has appeared in a section of the press. Sipping black coffee and shirtless, he moves around. Smiles once in a while, cools down and settles in for a few interviews. He has grown his hair back. Khan had shaved off his hair for the climax of Tere Naam. “We wanted to shoot the climax first,” says producer Sunil Manchanda. “I loved the original Tamil version, though I never understood the language. I knew I wanted to remake this film.
I planned it initially with a new cast and new director, but once Salman stepped in, everything changed. Salman loved the role. When I told him that he had to shave his head for the role, the next moment he had done the needful,” adds Manchanda.
Salman moves ahead to shoot with Bhoomika.

It ads on
We move next door for a shoot of a commercial produced by Sunil Manchanda and Anita Anand under the banner of MAD Entertainment for their German client TBWA Dusseldorf for a Schwarzkopf range of products. Says Sunil Manchanda, “This is the first time that a European country is shooting indoors in India. Others have come to shoot India.”
Manchanda has already shot a Coca Cola ad for the Chinese market before.
Model Rachel Scobie had put rollers in her hair and was enjoying the lunch. Director Di Yee of Chinese origin from Australia, who has directed many big projects like Nivea, is shooting for the third time in India. “India is a good place to shoot. Markets are expanding now. I know Sunil well and he wanted me to direct the project for Henkel,” says Yee.
Jurgen Degen, head of TV, Henkel (Schwarzkopf), who is on his first visit to India, is impressed by the facilities. “Everything has been arranged well. We wanted to explore India and it is working out,” says Degen.

August 28, 2002
Satish Kaushik's Tere Naam (remake of the South Indian hit Setu). "It's a sad love story. It's an interesting story, but I'd never wish the same to happen to anyone in real life," Salman.

June, 2002
I went bald, because it was required for one of my films. The character I play is bald for a part of the movie: Salman

May 19, 2002
Ace funster-cum-director Satish Kaushik currently making waves for his Badhaai Ho Badhaai is finalising Salman Khan for the Hindi remake of the hit Tamil movie Sethu. "It is the story of an anti-social element falling in love. While I am excited about the script, Salman is also equally charged about his role for which he had to go bald to sport the menacing look. We are planning to start shooting next month," disclosed Kaushik who is keen on casting a newcomer as the heroine.

April 02, 2002
Salman Khan is sporting a bald look these days. And there's a reason to it. No, it's not because he is losing hair or because he wants to beat the scorching heat. It's because of a role. Producers Nitin Manmohan and Sunil Manchanda have acquired the rights of the Tamil hit SETHU (starring Vikram and Abitha), which won the National Award for the best Regional Film, and Salman has been signed for the Hindi remake. Reportedly, Salman is so enamoured by his role that he has decided to have a different look, besides allotting bulk dates to the project, a close associate of Salman tells me. SETHU had set box-office trends and Salman is hoping the Hindi version would repeat history.