"Love Story 2050 v/s JAANE TU YA JAANE NA " - The Fight Begins

Jaane Tu..Ya Jaane Na and Love Story 2050 will battle it out for the number one spot today.

Except for the length and the number of prints, both the films are at par. The length of Love Story is three hours while Jaane Tu... is two hours and 35 minutes. This will surely help Jaane Tu... in getting one or two extra shows at multiplexes.

Also, Love Story is releasing with approximately 1000 prints in India and Overseas and Jaane Tu... is releasing with approximately 450 prints in India and Overseas.

While Cinemax and Adlabs have decided to allot equal number of shows to both movies, PVR has opened advance bookings with one extra show for Jaane Tu..., due to its shorter length than Love Story .

It can also be noted that while Jaane Tu... is concentrating on its release in metros and big cities, Love Story is penetrating into smaller cities as well.

Press Relese Of Love Story2050 in Pics

Gulshan & Harman Hugging???

Passers by on Sunday night were rather shocked to see two good men one of them dressed in bright orange suite and the other in shiny brown suit hugging right in the center of Haji Ali signal.

On closer look we found it was Gulshan Grover and Harman Baweja. And the reason for them hugging in the middle of the night was the 23 times retake they were giving while shooting for Manmohan Shetty's new film 'Victory' For all those who came in late, Victory is based on cricket and Harman is playing Dhoni while GG is playing a character loosely based on Mark Mascarenhas (cricket star maker). And last Sunday they were filming some celebration scenes in Haji Ali.

And when the scene was perfected, director Ajit Pal was heard joking "We have to get this shot right or we have to call Priyanka Chopra and tell her you are enjoying hugging Gulshan ji more than her". Hopefully Priyanka will take it at the right spirit!

Priyanka Chopra high on demand

Former Miss World and Bollywood Actress Priyanka Chopra is on a roll these days. Though she hasn't had any major releases thus far, she has a lot to look forward to. The most important of course, being Love Story 2050. But the latest is that this actress, who has quite a few big films in her kitty, has bagged Vidhu Vinod Chopra's Talisman.

The actress, who was recently called one of the sexiest actresses by co star Hrithik Roshan, already has Ashutosh Gowariker's next in her bag. Though she has not had any releases thus far, there are quite a few of her films which are up for release later this year, like Dostana, Drona, God Tussi Great Ho and Madhur Bhandarkar's Fashion. But the story doing the rounds is that the actress turned down Farhan Akhtar's next only so that she could allot dates to Chopra's next, to be directed by Ram Madhvani. The Talisman is said to be based on the novel Chandrakanta and Amitabh Bachchan has already been finalized for the film. Some more actors are expected to be finalised soon for this fantasy thriller.

Piggy Chopps-Miss Proffessional!!!

In an industry where most actors are known for their unprofessional attitude, Priyanka Chopra sticks out like a sore thumb. For the last fortnight, a tiring schedule of a shift and a half every day for Karan Johar’s Dostana, coupled by the promotional campaign for Love Story 2050 has taken a toll on the health of this very fit and healthy heroine.

Shooting in Film City over the weekend, Piggy Chops had a bad attack of asthma. Inspite of her ill health, the actress continued shooting as the schedule was a packed one and on that particular day she was shooting with the entire cast of Abhishek Bachchan, John Abraham, Boman Irani and Kirron Kher. By evening, a concerned boyfriend, Harman Baweja visited the set with a doctor in tow as Priyanka had collapsed. The medico gave her an injection and some medicines and after some time, a very fresh looking Priyanka strolled into the set to give her shot.

Concerned about her, Tarun Mansukhani the director called for an early pack up but not before he canned one steadycam shot with Priyanka. But the day had not ended for Piggy Chops. Since she had called a media unit to shoot an interview for Love Story 2050, she insisted on finishing that before she left Film City in her white Mercedes.

An exasperated Mickey Contractor, who has been doing her make up retorted, “She is not silly, but stupid. Her professional attitude will be the death of her.”

All Priyanka had to say was, “I could not cancel the interview since they had come all the way to shoot and it is not nice to disappoint people.”

No wonder there are so many big banners working with her. With an attitude like that Priyanka Chopra not only won the respect of her colleagues but also of the media people. Something that is really hard to win.

Harman Baweja had the ride of his Life

Harman Baweja had the ride of his life while shooting for Love Story 2050! While shooting for the film at the famous Salt Lake in South Australia, he rode the bike at about 170-180 kms per hour for a scene.

When contacted Harman Baweja relates, “The brief given to me was that I was supposed to be filmed like I was emerging from a dot. For that they required me to approach the camera at a high speed. I went as far as I could from the camera, so that I could make an entry on my bike with gusto. I was given a walkie-talkie to follow the instructions.”

However, things deviated a bit from the plan. Salt Lake is a huge vacant plain of about 180 kms. Harman was so focused on riding his bike that he went further ahead than required. Also because of the distance, the walkie-talkie lost network. Informs Harman, “I must have zoomed about 240 kms away and then I began my ride back. Since there was no one around, I thought that driving back at 80 or 100 kms per hour would take longer, so I started speeding up. But deep inside I was very scared, so much so that to hold myself I closed my eyes for two minutes while riding the bike. When I opened my eyes, I realised that I was actually driving my bike at 180 kms per hour. That's when I experienced an adrenaline rush and started enjoying my ride. I was holding my breath and flying through. This experience was completely a different thrill altogether.”

When asked if he will attempt to repeat such a stunt again, he said, “No. It’s not possible again. Such things happen just once in your life. Also, I can never do it in Mumbai, if you blink your eye even for a second while riding a bike even at normal speed, you face a threat to your life, forget getting away with closing your eyes.”

Harry Baweja, the director of the film and Harman’s father says, “Harman has shot an excellent take. He had gone so far that we had lost touch with him on the walkie-talkie and we could not communicate with him. But when we saw him returning, as was required in the shot, he appeared like a small dot, which kept on increasing as he approached the camera. The shot looks mind-blowing and in fact, it looks like a mirage in the film. However, later, when Harman told me about the speed, I was taken aback. But Salt Lake has nothing around it, so I guess it was all fine at the end of the day.”

Harman Annoyed of the Comparison with Hrithik

Harman Baweja, who is debuting with the much talked about 'Love Story 2050', has been taking the comparisons with Hrithik Roshan on his chin.

At his music launch last week when someone shouted 'Hey Hrithik' at him from the crowds, Harman smiled and said, 'Can't help the way I look. It's what my parents gave me.'

But Harman and his father Harry Baweja have decided to avert any more comparisons with the 'Krrish' star and also curb the unnecessary digs about Harman's glamorous girlfriend Priyanka Chopra.

Since it was felt that Harman even sounded like Hrithik, Harman's dubbing for 'Love Story 2050' is being done under strict supervision by a female voice expert who sits with Harman. The film is releasing in July.

'She listens to every word that Harman dubs. And if anywhere he sounds like anyone else, she immediately corrects him and makes him redo the dialogues. For this reason, Harman's dubbing in 'Love Story 2050' has taken a painfully long time. No actor has taken so long to complete his dubbing. A month away from release and Harman is still dubbing!'

Souces close to the Bawejas say, 'Harman is not the least conscious or worried about all the comparisons with Hrithik. They started when Harry Baweja decided to launch his son in a futuristic film.

'Everyone jumped to the conclusion that it was another 'Krissh'. Then to make the comparisons even stronger there was the Kareena Kapoor factor. She had opted out of Hrithik Roshan's 'Kaho Na...Pyar Hai' after a few days of shooting. The same happened with Harman's 'Love Story 2050'.'

More worrisome to Harman is the way Priyanka Chopra's presence in his life is being seen as a calculated move to gain mileage for the film.

Sources Say, 'Harman has a great deal of self-respect. He'd never want to be known by being associated with anyone else more famous and recognisable than him. In fact Kajol and Ajay Devgan were supposed to launch the music of 'Love Story 2050'. Harman's father decided against it at the last minute.

'Harry Baweja in fact rang up his colleague Kumar Mangat and advised him not to allow Kajol and Ajay's presence to overshadow his daughter at the music launch of 'Haal-e-Dil'. That's how self-respecting the Bawejas are.'

It hurts Harman to have his name being constantly mentioned with Priyanka.

Sources say, 'He has now decided to seriously cut down, if not entirely do away with, public appearances with Priyanka. Of course, she will be part of all the 'Love Story 2050' promotion. But Harman is refusing offers for magazine covers and guest appearances on reality shows with Priyanka.'

Priyanka Awakes From The Hibernation

Priyanka Chopra’s out of hibernation! The sexy actress who’s last film Salaam-e-Ishq didn’t garner much salaams at the box-office, is all set to storm the screen this year with not one or two, but six mega budget films. Including a slew of SFX-laden films like Drona and the futuristic LoveStory 2050. Sporting a healthy Miami tan, but looking fresh despite Mumbai’s killer temperature.

Where has she been all the while? “Well, I have about seven films in hand, and the whole of last year was spent shooting for them... In fact, I’ve been shooting around the clock and am now looking forward to a long vacation with my family,” she replies. Once a forerunner for the crown of Bollywood Queen, Priyanka seems to have been overtaken by the likes of Kareena and Katrina of late, but the actress is unperturbed. “Why would I be daunted by their success? Both are talented and deserving actresses. I loved Kareena in Jab We Met,” she says defensively. But didn’t she miss being a part of the buzz of tinselville? “Well, I could have stayed in the news if I wanted to by going on and on about my personal life. But I chose not to. My films are soon going to be out and my work will do the rest of the talking.”

First Krishh, then LoveStory... and later Drona, she seems to be a favourite when it comes to films loaded with super effects. Isn’t she afraid of being slotted as a ‘prop actress’, considering films like these really don’t have much scope to show acting prowess? “Well, if I am doing such special effects-laden movies, I’m also doing films like Dostana, What’s Your Raashee?, God Tussi Great Ho and Fashion. I have a mixed fare on my platter — from comedy to a socially relevant film and a hard-core masala film to action-oriented films. Besides, I don’t believe that films like Krissh don’t provide enough scope to act. No film can do well because of special effects alone, the emoting angle has to be equally strong and that requires talent,” Priyanka responds.

An actress who’s always followed her heart, Priyanka believes that she’s been lucky to have been so warmly accepted by the industry and the audience. “I believe that destiny has carved a path for me already, I just had to have the guts to follow it. And I’m proud of where it’s taking me, so I have no regrets,” she says of her five-year stint in Bollywood. And where does she see herself in the future... “If you’re asking me about the near future, then it’ll have to be doing good satisfying work, but if you’re asking me in the future as far as 2050, I’ll be a happily settled grandmother watching my films with my grandchildren,” she laughs.

Priyanka Does a Fantastic Balancing Job

Priyanka Chopra is gung-ho about her personal as well as profession life. Professionally, she is eagerly awaiting the release of Love Story 2050 with 'good friend' Harman Baweja, while personally, she is kicked about her kid brother Siddharth's culinary skills.

The proud sister says, "He wants to be a chef. I hate cooking. I only love to eat. On the contrary, my brother is a fantastic cook and can effortlessly dish out any cuisine."

Talking about food, the shooting of Karan Johar's Dostana in Miami holds some fond memories. Priyanka, like the rest of the cast, was given a separate apartment.

"With kitchens, of course, which I never went into," laughs Priyanka. "My mother cooked for us in Miami. My brother has inherited his culinary skills from our mom while I've grasped singing capabilities from my father," she adds.

Talking about her films, does good friend and co-star Harman eat with the Chopras? She says, "Yes, he does eat food with us whenever he drops by. However, Harman is right now too nervous to eat as our film Love Story 2050 is on the verge of release. As his senior colleague, I can reassure him that he's a fantastic actor."

Priyanka adds, "It's very important to encourage a debutant. "

Priyanka feels so comfortable with filmmaking techniques that she learnt from Harman that she's all set to direct a film. She says, "Not now though. But, I'm well-equipped for the job."

As a parting shot, we cannot help but ask. Does she still maintain that Harman and she are only very good friends? "Yes, we're very good friends and beyond that no one needs to know anything else," she adds.

Love Story 2050 -The Countdown has Started

After battling all the production hassles while filming India's biggest every sci-fi flick LOVE STORY 2050, producer-director Harry Baweja has finally embarked on the big-bang promotional campaign for his son Harman Baweja's launch-pad. Though the promo of the film has been made available on internet for quite some time, the television publicity has begun only in the weekend gone by and as expected has resulted in a jaw dropping response.

Well, if the first look of LOVE STORY 2050 is any indication, Papa Harry Baweja certainly seems to be on just the right path to give his son one rocking kick start in his career. The film's promo leaves you truly awed as you gasp for breath and look forward to catching it multiple times over you satiate your appetite. Simply put, 'Love Story' is just different and makes viewer witness something on the big screen which has never been made before in Indian cinema.

In fact Harry Baweja doesn't hide the fact that the film has its germ lying in 'Time Machine', a classic sci-fi novel by H G Wells. The novel was about a scientist who built a time machine which could take a human being into distant future. Here too, Boman Irani is the scientist who has supposedly given 15 years of his life to invent this dream machine. The opening shots of the promo takes audience through a brilliantly designed sci-fi lab where Boman is shown jubilating with his successful invention.

Though Mumbai appears like never before, the shots which follow result in your mouth being left wide open in disbelief. An array of, what appears to be robots, fill the frame while the sets which appear carry a surreal appeal. And if this wasn't enough there is more to come in the form of the best shots from the film. Cars flying in the air in the middle of swanky buildings which could not be lesser than 100 floors tall manage to give an altogether different dimension to LOVE STORY 2050. Add to that a night effect and you are sure that even Hollywood would find some comparison building up when it comes to futuristic fantasy flicks coming from India.

With an array of romantic/high voltage shots which follow, a grand finale comes in the form of unveiling of Harman Baweja. The handsome young man stares confidently at screen with the entire team of LOVE STORY 2050 making sure that his 'first look' turns out to be a worthwhile affair.

Priyanka goes RED for LOVE STORY 2050

Many of us must have by-hearted the idioms and phrases that were taught to us in our school days. But Priyanka Chopra is one such Bollywoodian who did not by heart the phrase 'Dedication is not what others expect of you, it is what you can give to others', but has lived up to it and with great élan and style.

The dedication level of this chic is so very extraordinarily high, that it can actually give many others a huge complex. The recent example of the Chopra girl's commitment came in the forefront while she shooting for the 'futuristic' blockbuster Love Story 2050. The shot required her to sport red coloured hair. And guess what! Priyanka actually went ahead and dyed her hair red in colour, instead of opting for the easy way out - sporting a wig, like many others.

The 'hands and brains' at work included the ace make-up artist Mickey Contractor, Director Harry Baweja and celebrated hairstylist Thea, who spent a whopping six months finalizing on the right look. Harry Baweja said that the call of the situation was such that it required Priyanka to look like someone from the future, at the same time not look like an alien. And Baweja was so very touched with Priyanka's dedication towards her role because it was not once, but thrice that she changed the colour of her hair. The first time it was red, then, black and then back to red as she is playing two roles in this film.

With so much dedication flowing from Priyanka Chopra, we just feel that Harry Baweja is simply sitting on a 'futuristic' goldmine.

Enough Buzz about Love Story 2050

Love Story 2050 is said to be first of its kind in bollywood as sci-fi has been too much used to create buzz about the film.
And Harry Baweja has spent sleepless nights to get the right look for his sci-fi movie. And going by the buzz the first look of his film's leads – son Harman Baweja and Priyanka Chopra – has created, his efforts seem to have paid off, at least till the film releases.

Priyanka Chopra sports a rather unusual red hair and carries a pink teddy sporting a blue mohawk hairdo. Harman's look is complete in a well-fitted, leather-like tee and pants along with heavy boots and biking gloves. And all the fashion prediction is the brainchild of designer Thea.

"We spent more than six months trying to figure out the right look. The idea was to give them a look that people could imagine and relate to in the future. We didn't want them resembling aliens or looking as if they've landed from Star Trek. The film is set in the future, but it's not about space travel," says Baweja senior.

Only the time can say what sci-fi effect comes to the audience after the movie hits the silver screen.

"Love Story 2050 has ten times more F-X that Krissh",Says Harry Baweja

After Harry Baweja's Love Story 2050, futuristic Mumbai will be seen in Shekhar Kapoor's Paani. Laughs Harry, "I'm glad I was the one to bell the cat. Everyone seems to have woken up to the powers of special effects. The audience now wants to see more F-X films. I feel after my film's release, there'll be dozens of such films on the floor. This is the future of Indian cinema. Thirty years ago, Hollywood got us Arnold Schwarzenegger and Sylvester Stallone doing Terminator and Rocky. It was all about letting the machismo hang out. Today, the concept of the actioner and the action hero has changed. Overt beefy jungle-man tactics are out. Today's audience is the subtle urban multiplex audience. The 'interiors' still exist, but only for the Bhojpuri films."

Hyper Harry halts for breath. Though Love Story 2050 moves through two different time zones and two eras, Baweja has learnt a lesson from the Jodhaa Akbar experience. "Mine is an epic kind of film. The story needs to move smoothly in time. The time factor was a problem. We tried to get it down to 2 hours 30 miniutes. But we'll have to keep it at 2 hours 50 minutes."

There's apparently been infinite delay in the release of Harry Baweja's futuristic spectacle. "We started shooting on the third of September 2006 and finished in March 2007….Any special-effects film is bound to take that long…not to compare myself with anyone else. But my film has ten times more F-X that Krissh. We've something called animatronics in our film. That took inordinately long. It required a six-month waiting period. One year before that we applied for copyrights for designs, We divided the F-X in Love Story 2050 over five international studios. Technicians involved with films like Lord Of The Rings are part of our film."

Harry admits this is as big as it gets. "It all depends on the star cast. If I make film with Salman, Akshay, Sunny, John or Aamir…each of these actors has a hardcore target audience. Harman is being targeted at the youth. He's young, energetic and part of the gen-X , so he's being given a launch where the audience gets to feel the excitement of a spectacle…My responsibilities this time are tremendous."

Harry tries to play down his excitement about his son's debut. "You mean now I don't have to sign outside stars and I just have to run to my son? I was very happy making film with Ajay Devgan. But it's definitely gratifying to have a leading man at home whose career I can mould. Just like Rakesh and Hrithik Roshan. Like Hrithik, Harman understands cinema and the camera. That really helps. He's a fast learner and growing by the day. He has been learning very fast. Even if I wasn't his father I'd rate him very highly."

Harry says it's too early to say how many prints will be released. "But after the encouraging response to the theatrical trailer we feel the print order will be far more than we had anticipated. All I can tell you is that nothing like this has been attempted before."